GRANTS, N.M. — Dia de los Muertos (Spanish for, “Day of the Dead”) is celebrated every year on November 1 and 2 to honor and remember family members that have passed away. This year, the Cibola Arts Council decided to hold a small celebration for Dia De Los Muertos at the Double Six Art Gallery.
Dia De Los Muertos is a holiday widely celebrated in Mexico and other places, especially by those with Mexican heritage. On Dia De Los Muertos, ofrendas or altars are built in remembrance of loved ones who have passed. Ofrendas are made with pictures, favorite foods and drinks, and items of loved ones, according to staff at the Double Six Gallery. Families also visit cemeteries and leave gifts and offerings on their loved ones' graves. During Dia De Los Muertos, calaveras and marigold flowers are spread and are believed to lead deceased loved ones home. Dia De Los Muertos is also not just a celebration for the dead, but the living also give each other gifts such as sugar skulls, pan de muerto, and spend time with family remembering those they have lost.
This year, the Cibola Arts Council held a small celebration of their own at the Double Six Art Gallery. Cibola Arts Council Executive Director John Martinez said that the council decided unanimously to hold an event for the community to celebrate Dia de los Muertos. The Council invited members of the community to build their own ofrendas in the gallery to honor loved ones.
Joan Sheski a member of the Cibola Arts Council said that she doesn’t think that the Hispanic community in Grants doesn’t get enough recognition and through this event they bring attention to the Hispanic culture and Dia de los Muertos. Martinez also said that he hopes the gallery can have an even bigger event for Dia de los Muertos next year, maybe even with a live mariachi.
Arieanna Crowson - CC
An ofrenda built for Robert Clark who was the president of the Grants Rotary from 2012 to 2013. On the ofrenda it includes some of Clark’s favorite items, including CDs of his favorite artists, a book of photos of Dallas and Fort Worth, and a mug that says ‘Texas Chili and a Long Neck.’
Arieanna Crowson - CC
An ofrenda built by Cibola Arts Council Member Joan Sheski in honor of Crystal LaPierre who was murdered in 1993. The ofrenda includes art painted by a student of Sheski’s, as well as a poem written by Sheski.