Many of the students in the Day of the Dead art class at El Colegio have selected the subjects for their ofrendas; a few are undecided. On a recent visit to the class, students shared their strategies for learning more about the person they plan to honor. Some will interview family members, others have personal memories and mementos, and some will conduct research in the school media center.
Students gathered in small groups around the art room to work with the materials of their choosing. Several students learned to make small papel picado (perforated paper) banners and flowers from brightly colored tissue paper.
Another group of students worked with clay, forming calacas, calaveras and other images and symbols to incorporate into their ofrendas.
Next week, the class will visit the museum for a tour to explore art that illustrates many world cultures’ beliefs about and reverence for their ancestors.
