Art with Power

Dia de los Muertos

Celebrated in Mexico November 1st and 2nd

Believed that the gates of Heaven open to allow ancestors and deceased children to reunite with their families for 24 hours

Beautiful altars are made by the families to welcome the spirits

Many flowers were used to decorate the altar and attract the spirits

History

Families leave food and drink for the spirits because they are weary from the long journey

Mexico is abundant in sugar production, many religious art pieces are crafted from sugar

Small sugar skulls are left for the angelitos (or baby angels) as a present

Larger skulls for the adult spirits as offerings for wisdom

Often had the name of the spirit on the sugar skull

Sugar Skulls

Real Sugar Skulls

Artistic Recreations

Assignment InstructionsCreate a patterned piece using scratch away

art

Your piece may be a sugar skull or flowers in order to connect with Dia de Los Muertos

Remember to think in the negative. Whatever is scratched away will reveal the pattern underneath and form your drawing.

Use your imagination!Fill the space!

Artistic Recreations