SONOMA, CA -- (Marketwire) -- 10/14/10 -- The Sonoma Valley Museum of Art (www.svma.org) puts an artistic spin on Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) with a series of activities beginning on October 15 and continuing through Sunday October 31.
"Our current exhibition, Visions of Paradise: Art and the Power of Faith, is a wonderful tie-in with this important traditional Mexican observance," says Margie Maynard, Director of Education and Public Programs at the Museum. "We're building on that by giving people of all faiths and non-faiths an opportunity to learn more about it and take part in some of its traditions."
The theme is Recuerde Siempre Always Remember. For Dia de los Muertos in Mexico, altars are often erected at the entrance of towns by community members for those spirits who have no living relatives left, and therefore have no family altar built for them to visit.
In keeping with this tradition, SVMA will erect a large altar on the Museum's façade on Broadway, which leads directly to the town plaza of Sonoma. The community will then be invited to partake in decorating this altar and bringing their own personal offerings in remembrance of a loved one.
Beginning October 15, the Museum will be issuing "challenges" or invitations to the community via its website, Facebook page, Twitter, and announcements in The Sun, to visit the altar on several occasions and bring a new offering in response to that day's specific challenge. A new challenge will be issued every few days and will include offerings including hand-made flowers, a photograph or portrait, a poem about life and death, and similar contributions to the altar. Accompanying each challenge will be a brief explanation of the origin or meaning associated with each offering.
On October 23 and 30, SVMA will host two family Dia de los Muertos art workshops from 11am - 2pm, with artist and educator Zoe Harris. Zoe will be leading several projects that relate to the tradition of Dia de los Muertos and to the specific offerings for the Museum's altar.
At the end of the afternoon on October 31, guests at the Museum are invited to proceed to the Sonoma Valley Community Center at dusk to continue the festivities with outdoor activities there.
About the Sonoma Valley Museum of Art
www.svma.org.
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