Day of the Dead celebration at Nevada State Museum

The Nevada State Museum will celebrate El Día de los Muertos or Day of the Dead from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 8, 2008. Day of the Dead is a multicultural celebration of life through death. In this wholesome family holiday, participants learn to deal with death in a healthy way by celebrating the lives of dear ones who have passed away. The holiday has become very popular in recent years and is celebrated in schools, homes, community centers and museums in all 50 states.

Day of the Dead is a very tender holiday where relatives remember and honor deceased loved ones with great warmth, affection and respect. Special exhibits called ofrendas display memorabilia from departed loved ones. This may include a photo of the person, samples of their favorite foods, symbols of activities they loved and bright yellow flowers. A typical bread called pan de muerto is abundantly displayed during the festival. Sugar skulls are decorated and fancy paper cut-outs add color to the tables.

Day of the Dead Events at Nevada State Museum, November 8

10:00 a.m.: The Day of the Dead celebration begins with stories by Elisa Seiler of the Carson City Library.

11:00 a.m.: Engage in a discussion with Latina artist Dolores Archuleta-Henderson as she shares her personal creative journey through a presentation entitled Art Comes to Life through Day of the Dead. Dolores is a prolific Carson City artist whose creative explorations include painting, sculpture, beadwork, carving, art-wear and jewelry design. Archuleta-Henderson led Day of the Dead teacher workshops through Arizona State University Public Events outreach and worked with Day of the Dead exhibit design at Museo Chicano in Phoenix. She exhibits locally at Kings Gallery and won the 2003 Reno Cinco de Mayo Artist Competition.

10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.: Get creative with crafts for the whole family upstairs in the auditorium. Decorate sugar skulls (calaveras de azúcar), cut fancy paper designs (papel picado), fashion a folkloric figure, make paper flowers or paint a maraca to take home.

More information

• Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for seniors, and free for children under 18.
• Call (775) 687-4810 with any questions