Arts Across the Curriculum: Sugar Skull Masks for Day of the Dead!

Instructor: LASC’s Gallery Director Jeffrey Nichols

Every November 1^st, the LASC presents its annual Day of the Dead Festival along with an accompanying Community Art Project. During this PD workshop designed for elementary and middle school teachers, you will learn an easy step by step process for making “Sugar Skull” masks for Day of the Dead with your students. This project is very simple, and will be a great way to integrate history, culture, and art into your classroom through the Mexican holiday Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) and to have your students’ “Sugar Skull” masks displayed during the Living Arts and Science Center’s Day of the Dead Festival on Tuesday, November 1^st, 2016.  

 Sugar Skulls are the jolly iconic symbol the world has grown to associate with Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). Based upon European confections brought to Mexico after the Spanish conquest of 1521 combined with the abundance of inexpensive sugar, these happy skull creations were introduced into the celebration starting around the mid-18^th Century to add a playful element. Sugar skulls represent the departed and symbolize the sweetness of life. Decorated with bright colors, patterns, and even the name of the deceased being honored these cheerful confections are placed on ofrendas or altars that are created to remembered the dead. 

Please join us for a hands-on professional development workshop to learn more about sugar skulls and the rich cultural traditions associated with the Mexican holiday, Dia de los Muerto (Day of the Dead). We’ll engage with relevant art in a guided tour of the gallery exhibit, Adan Utrera: Calaberas y Alebrijes, and that’s not all! We’ll start a fun art project that you can take to your school and use as a springboard for students to explore core content in Social Studies and the Arts!

All participants will receive a certificate for 2 hours of PD credit. Light refreshments will be provided. Pre-registration is required.