Curated by Enrique Fernández Cervantes
Day of the Dead sugar skull workshop
Saturday, November 1, 2008 - 3 PM
Have you ever wondered how those wonderful (and delicious) Day of the Dead sugar skulls are made?
Here's your chance to learn the art of sculpting and decorating your own Calaveritas de Azucar (sugar skulls) in an interactive hands-on workshop with Dallas artist/educator, Janet Reynolds.
All the materials will be supplied by the instructor. Participants may bring icing for decorating their creations.
Cost: Free. Donations are welcome.
Opening Reception:
Sunday, October 12, 2008 (5-7 PM)
Featuring a musical performance by
Annie Benjamin and Billy Bucher
Free and open to the public.
This lively eclectic exhibition features over 60 local, regional, national and international artists working in traditional and contemporary styles to celebrate, explore and honor people, things, and ideas that have “passed on.” Every piece of art in this show promises to be challenging, inspiring and thought provoking.
Participating artists:
Mary Baker, Dan Richard Barber, Rita Barnard, Joni Beamish, Kimberly Renelle Bradshaw, Eunice Bridges, Carolyn Brown, Betty Bucher, Billy Bucher, Kristine Byars, Beth Callahan, Paul Carranza, Hsiu Ching, Rhonda Chitwood, Nancy Cole, Robin Cushman, Dan Dudley, Lori Dudley, Jeff Eames, Curtis Fesser, Latoya S. Fesser, Brad W. Foster, Teresa E. Goldsmith, Jamie Graham, John Green, Frank Guerra, Rebecca Guy, Juan J. Hernández, Lorene Herrera, Sigrun Hukill, Ilene Kay, B. R. Kline, Evamaria Kutscheid, Jay Lamar, Sandra Ann Lara, Bonny Leibowitz, Linda López, Eli Lorenz, Freddie McCoo, Ruben Miranda, Sandra A. Moreno, Laura Murphy, Lucky Nelms, Ludwicka Norton, Lisa Orwig, Janet Reynolds, Gail Roberts, Laura L. Robinson, Brenda Robson, Lesley Rucker, Shawn Saumell, Kate Schatz, Paula Selzer, Arthur Stephens, Sharon Stevenson, Madeleine Terry, Emily Turpin, Bill White, Kathy Windrow, and Marco Zavala.
Kristine Byars
Jeff Hukill
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History of the Exhibition:
The Bath House’s tradition of presenting the Day of the Dead exhibition began on November 1986 when the company Teatro Dallas incorporated displays of traditional Mexican altars of the dead into a theatrical presentation titled Johnny Tenorio. Throughout the years, the exhibitions have evolved from being primarily a collection of traditional altar installations done mostly by Dallas Hispanic artists to a much wider selection of artistic interpretations that include-- in addition to the altars -- sculpture, painting, photography, and other contemporary mixed media techniques. The last years have also seen a significant increase of non-Hispanic artists participating in this exhibition as more people embrace the Day of the Dead tradition and see the tremendous potential of the show’s theme for artistic creation.
The tradition of the Day of the Dead:
During the traditional Day of the Dead holiday, people assemble elaborate altars in their homes to commemorate those who have died, filled with objects that provided pleasure to the departed person. Because of this warm social environment, the colorful setting, and the abundance of food, drink and good company, this holiday commemorating the dead has pleasant rather than scary or sad overtones.
According to an ancient Mexican tradition, every year the spirit of the dead come back to visit with their families. This happens on All Saints Day (November 1) and on the Day of the Dead (November 2). Cemeteries are cleaned and decorated with flowers and elaborate altars with offerings of food and cherished items of the deceased are built in peoples’ homes to welcome the returning spirits. Although this tradition has its origins in Mexico, people of many cultures, races and backgrounds embrace the celebration. Life and death are universal concepts that everyone can explore.
Enrique Fernández Cervantes, Visual Arts Coordinator and Curator of the Bath House Cultural Center and the City of Dallas Office of Cultural Affairs, curated this exhibition.
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