SAN JOSÉ, California (October 12, 2017) — The San José Museum of Art will celebrate El Día de los Muertos (Day of the Day) with a free community day on Saturday, October 28, 2017, from 11 AM — 5 PM. This 2500-year-old tradition is one of Mexico’s most celebrated holidays, a festive time to honor and remember family members and friends who have died and help support their spiritual journey. SJMA annually celebrates a contemporary El Día de los Muertos with family-friendly activities, hands-on projects, and cultural demonstrations. Admission to the public program and Museum is free. Tickets are available online at sjmusart.org/event/community-day-el-Día-de-los-muertos-2017.
Activities and performances will include:
- Calacas skeleton performers roaming throughout the Museum and providing visitors photograph opportunities;
- Local artist Lissa Jones displaying a traditional ofrenda altar;
- Local artist Phyllis Carrasco discussing the cultural tradition and symbolism of ofrendas and demonstrating how to create your own;
- Large papier-mâché Catrinas figures displayed in the lobby;
- Decorating calaveras de azúcar (sugar skulls) and making tin art.
El Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is an important and joyful holiday, celebrated in Latin America and parts of the United States, to celebrate the lives of their dead ancestors. Officially celebrated on November 1 and 2, the holiday brings families and communities together to share their love and respect for their loved ones with all-night vigils, song and dance, sharing of special holiday foods, and building of altars. Observance of the holiday in Mexican-American communities in the United States continues to grow. As Day of the Dead customs develops within the cultures of the United States, new traditions evolve. SJMA Community Day festivities are a traditional and inter-cultural modernization of the Day of the Dead celebration.
SAN JOSÉ MUSEUM OF ART
The San José Museum of Art celebrates new ideas, stimulates creativity, and inspires connection with every visit. Welcoming and thought-provoking, the Museum rejects stuffiness and delights visitors with its surprising and playful perspective on the art and artists of our time. SJMA is located at 110 South Market Street in downtown San José, California. The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday, 11 AM to 5 PM and until 8 PM or later on the third Thursday of each month. Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors, $6 for students, and $5 for youth ages 7 – 18. Members and children ages 6 and under are admitted free. For more information, call 408-271-6840 or visit www.SanJoseMuseumofArt.org.
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Programs at the San Jose Museum of Art are made possible by generous operating support from the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, Yvonne and Mike Nevens, a Cultural Affairs grant from the City of San Jose, and the Richard A. Karp Charitable Foundation.