The Kentucky Museum of Art and Craft (KMAC) had
teamed up with the UofL Latin American and Latino Studies Program to celebrate
the Dia de los Muertos 'Day of the Dead' holiday by hosting several special
events. From October 19 through November 11, 2009, KMAC will construct several
public altars honor of the YUMA 14 border crossing victims and the Beverly
Hills Supper Club fire victims. The public is invited to bring items to
honor family, friends and deceased loved ones. In conjunction with the First
Friday Gallery Hop on Friday, November 6th from 5:00-10:00pm, the
Museum will host festivities that include food, live music, sugar skull and
tissue flower workshops, Flamenco and fire dancers, a Frida Kahlo and skeleton
costume contest, face painting, puppets, art cars and a candlelit march. Mexican
folk art from the collection of Phillip S. Cooke will be on display, and a
variety of themed artwork will be for sale, including pieces from Penny Sisto,
Geoff Carr, Danny Dutton and many more. The November 6th celebration
is free and open to the public, and guests are encouraged to wear costumes and
masks.
The Dia de los Muertos celebration is made
possible by support from TJ Maxx/TJX Companies, the Hispanic Latino Coalition of
Louisville, UPS, Lowry Watkins Jr., Ratterman & Sons Funeral Home and
Republic Bank.
These festivities are being held in conjunction
with a citywide celebration of Day of the Dead. Other participating
organizations include 21C Museum, the UofL Fine Arts Department, the UofL
Physics Department, the Frazier International History Museum, the Muhammad Ali
Center, the Louisville Science Center, the Mellwood Art Center and the Boys and
Girls Clubs of Kentuckiana.
About Day
of the Dead
Day of
the Dead, or Dia de los Muertos, is a joyous holiday, originating in Mexico that
blends native Aztec and Roman Catholic traditions and beliefs to celebrate and
honor the lives of deceased friends and family members. In this tradition, death
is not seen as the end, but rather a new stage of life. It is now celebrated
with cultural variations in areas throughout Latin America and the
United
States.
