MIXED MEDIUM
THE ARTS AROUND
EASTERN OREGON
13
NOVEMBER 3�10, 2021
Ofrenda is heart of Día de los Muertos celebration
Go! staff
ABOUT DÍA DE LOS
MUERTOS
L
A GRANDE — Art Center
East’s celebration of Día
de los Muertos kicked off Oct.
29 with a community gather-
ing featuring Day of the Dead-
themed artwork created by
Grande Ronde Valley K-12
students, take-and-make kits
and an ofrenda.
Ofrendas are an essential part
of the Día de los Muertos (Day
of the Dead) tradition. Practiced
annually, the holiday is a cel-
ebration of both life and death.
Ofrendas are altars of off ering,
set up to remember and honor
the memory of one’s ancestors
and loved ones who have passed
away. Typically set up in homes,
ofrendas are traditionally deco-
rated with photos and mementos,
special foods, fl owers, candles,
incense, “calacas” (decorative
Berenice Chavez/Contributed image
The art exhibit and ofrenda to celebrate Día de los Muertos will be on display
through Nov. 10 at Art Center East in La Grande. There is no admission fee
and all are welcome.
skull fi gures) and “calavera”
(sugar skull masks).
The tables of off ering are
works of art in themselves as
well as a way to connect to one’s
family history. The ofrenda at Art
Center East likewise is a way to
honor those we love — on view to
the community, the shared expe-
rience connects us to our friends
and neighbors.
Everyone is invited to add to
the ofrenda by bringing pho-
tographs or mementos that
honor their loved ones who
have passed away. Stop by Art
Center East, 1006 Penn Ave., La
Día de los Muertos
came about as a fusion of
the Catholic holidays All
Saint’s Day (Nov. 1) and All
Soul’s Day (Nov. 2) and the
ancestor-honoring traditions
of indigenous Mexico. Día
de los Muertos sugar skulls
(calaveras) and costumed
skeletons (calacas) are com-
monly seen as an extension
of Halloween imagery in the
United States, but they are
not intended to be spooky.
Holiday festivities include
Mexican folk art, vibrant
colors, music, parades,
communal meals and happy
reminiscing with family.
Grande, through Nov. 4 to place
items on the altar. (Photographs
and mementos may be picked
up on Nov. 10). ACE will have
tea light candles available for a
$1 donation.
The artwork on display was
created by local students. Art
Center East staff put together a
curriculum packet of art activi-
ties that explore aspects of Día
de los Muertos aesthetic tradi-
tions, and area teachers incor-
porated the packets into their
fall lesson plans.
Special Día de los Muertos
Take & Make Kits are still be avail-
able for $8. Purchase these online
at artcentereast.org.
The art exhibit and ofrenda will
be on display in the Main Gallery
through Nov. 10. There is no ad-
mission fee and all are welcome.
Regular gallery hours are noon-
5 p.m. Wednesday through Friday
and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturdays
Exhibits can also be viewed
online at artcentereast.org thanks
to a partnership with John J.
Howard Real Estate.
DP HOME ENTERTAINMENT
137 E. Main Street, John Day 541-575-1637
Homeroom #36
is a great
place to
stay for the
Holidays
or
Ski Season
More Info at
www.ChurchillBaker.com
Custom frame shop dedicated to
great customer service, design, and
quality products.
Royal Artisan
1912 Main St.
Baker City, OR 97814
541.465.4547
katephill843@gmail.com
120 E Main St.
John Day
541-575-0629
Lenspharmacy.com