"Day of the Dead" Comes to Cottonwood

Planning ahead is always a good thing to do, especially when the event is an art show. Although Cottonwood's "Day of the Dead"-themed Last Friday Artwalk isn't until October 30th, we're getting the word out now so that this will be one of Cottonwood's biggest events since its Grand Opening in April!
Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a ritual that has been celebrated for over 3,000 years. When the Spanish Conquistadors landed on the shores of Mexico 500 years ago, they tried to eliminate the festival in an attempt to convert the natives to Catholicism. Unsuccessful, they compromised, agreeing to reduce the festival from two months to two days, and moving it to coincide with "All Saints Day" and "All Souls Day," to appease the Spaniards' Catholic beliefs. November 1st is set aside to celebrate the children's lives who have passed away, and adults are celebrated on the 2nd.

Most people view death as an end, but Mexicans view death as a "continuation" of life. Instead of fearing death, they embrace it because life is merely a dream; it's only upon a person's death that they become fully "alive." It is believed that the "veil" that separates earth from the spirit world is at its thinnest from October 31st to November 2nd, so cemeteries bustle with activity as gravesites are cleaned and decorated to welcome the deceased back to this world.

Tombstones become makeshift altars and are decorated with marigolds, copal, and sage--their pungent scents invite the spirits of the dead back home. Colorful banners, called papel picado ("small papers") are strung across tombstones as decorations, and skulls made out of sugar are placed on the graves with names of the deceased written across their foreheads. Water to quench the spirits' thirsts, soap and cloths to cleanse the spirits, food to nourish them on their journey home, toys for the children, and margaritas for the adults are set on the altars, as well as photos of the deceased. Typically, the more recent the death, the more elaborately decorated the gravesite. During the two-day festivities, family members gather around the deceased's gravesite to eat and drink, and reminisce about how the person touched their lives.

Because Day of the Dead is celebrated in parts of the United States as well, Cottonwood is planning to have a huge celebration for their Last Friday Artwalk surrounding this millenniums-old tradition. Guests are invited to dress up in costume, whether Day of the Dead-related or more Halloween-ish (although the holidays are not related). There is also a call for artists to submit two-dimensional and three-dimensional artwork, as well as "installation" art (such as setting up a decorated altar) and "performance" art (such as acting out skits).

The entire show will be juried by Rodney Wood, a well-known artist and educator who currently makes Riodoso, NM his home. Artist and curator Tish Lacy Reed, whose studio is at Cottonwood, can be contacted at 719-963-6178 for more information. Participants whose work is juried into the show will be asked to bring an authentic Mexican dish, such as pan muerto ("dead bread"), fresh fruit, or guetas, donut-shaped bread covered with pink icing. Details, such as submitting artwork, auditioning for performance art, and entry fees, will be forthcoming, or check out Cottonwood's Web site at www.cottonwoodcenterforthearts.com for information.

Cottonwood is also planning to have live performances by Mexican and/or mariachi bands, so if you know of any, please contact Tish or call Cottonwood directly at 719-520-1899.