Lubbock's annual 'Dia de Los Muertos procession will take place Friday
Colorful art fills four galleries, celebrating Day of the Dead
William Kerns
The Day of the Dead, or Dia de Los Muertos, is the year's most important holiday in Mexico and finds people worshiping, above all, remembrance.
The holiday traditionally is celebrated by families in connection with the Catholic holidays of All Saints Day on Thursday or All Souls Day on NFriday.
It will be celebrated with an annual gallery procession Friday in Lubbock.
The practice of honoring loved ones who have died began more than 3,500 years ago when the Aztecs held a month-long celebration to welcome the spirits of loved ones who return to visit, according to tattoo.about.com. Skulls would be displayed as symbols of life, death and rebirth.
When Spanish Conquistadors arrived with their Catholic faith in what is now known as Mexico, one goal was to convert the natives and do away with "pagan" rituals. Day of the Dead survived and, in fact, was altered to coincide with the Catholic holy days.
Even the banks close in Mexico on the Day of the Dead, which also is celebrated in Ecuador, Guatemala and other areas in Central and South America - and in cities in Texas and California with growing Hispanic populations.
Fuentes credited
Texas Tech art instructor Tina Fuentes is credited with pitching an idea in 1999 for a Day of the Dead procession involving four galleries in Lubbock.
The same four take part today, and attendance has grown to more than 1,000 art lovers, said Jane Bell, director of the International Cultural Center - although not all 1,000 can visit every site.
This year's procession will coincide with the Nov. 2 First Friday Art Trail, now enjoyed by more than 2,000 people each month, said Brooke Witcher, who oversees the Buddy Holly Center.
This year's Day of the Dead procession will visit:
¦ 5:30-6:30 p.m., International Cultural Center, 601 Indiana Ave.
¦ 6:30-7:30 p.m., Landmark Gallery, Texas Tech School of Art, 18th Street and Flint Avenue.
¦ 7:30-8:30 p.m., LHUCA's Icehouse, 511 Ave. J.
¦ 8:30-9:30 p.m., Buddy Holly Center, 1801 Crickets Ave.
(First Friday Art Trail takes place from 6 -9 p.m.)
Bell recalls being chosen to write the first grant applications for Lubbock's Day of the Dead procession in 1999, when she was in her first year as director of special projects at the International Cultural Center.
Others taking part included Fuentes, then representing the Tech School of Art; Deborah Milosevich, then director of the Lubbock Arts Alliance; and Connie Gibbons, founding director at the Buddy Holly Center.
"We also had great folks on our first committee, like Pat Maines, Ed Check and Deborah Bigness. The procession was an enormous hit that first year," Bell said. "We couldn't believe how many people came, and they just kept coming. It has retained its popularity."
Authors' ofrenda
The annual Day of the Dead exhibit at the International Cultural Center finds 25 artists filling every inch of display space with 90 to 100 pieces in all art media, Bell said.
She has created an ofrenda, or altar, in recognition of three of her favorite writers: Maurice Sendak, Nora Ephron and Gore Vidal, who died on May 8, June 26 and July 31, respectively.
The International Cultural Center's entire West Gallery is reserved for local artists Ellen Stanley and Annalee Schubert, each a retired All Saints Episcopal School teacher. They have participated each year since visiting the Mexican state of Oaxaca together during its Day of the Dead celebration in 2006.
"They price their work so inexpensively that anyone can buy it," Bell said. "People who cannot spend more than $250 for an art work might be able to spend $25. These artists just make enough to cover the cost of their supplies."
Bell enjoys the celebration so much that she actually devotes much of her summer to creating commemorative Day of the Dead pins, given to the first 300 people who visit.
"Some people even have the full set," she said with a laugh.
All four galleries will offer traditional Mexican snacks and live entertainment. Mariachi Amistad will perform at both the International Cultural Center's Hall of Nations and, later that night, at the Buddy Holly Center's Meadows Courtyard.
Linda Cullum, representing LHUCA, said art work will be displayed at the Icehouse, 511 Ave. J, with entertainment by Ballet Folklorico Nuestra Herencia.
Art at the Icehouse is in a variety of media, and was created by students in the classes of art teachers Susan Donini at Lubbock High School and Angie Nicholson at Hutchinson Middle School.
Nicholson said, "I love Dia de Los Muertos. It reminds me to remember my loved ones who are gone. Such a beautiful idea. In today's world, we are so diverse; sharing culture provides an opportunity to value and appreciate one another.
"Dia de Los Muertos also is an opportunity for students to be artists on a First Friday Art Trail. ... I believe education should enter the real world at every opportunity."
Brooke Witcher, at the Buddy Holly Center, said her venue has been hosting an exhibition each year called "Celebracion" that features 60 artists from across the state.
"Artists are asked to interpret Dia de Los Muertos by creating works honoring departed ancestors, friends and family," Witcher said.
The Buddy Holly Center's exhibit will remain on display through Nov. 25, and includes an installation provided by Roosevelt High School's Spanish III class, under the direction of Linn Behling Hughes.
Joe Arredondo, director of Tech's Landmark Arts gallery, indicated that he has asked a juror (Bell) to compare the art from the 2011 and 2012 Day of the Dead exhibits.
He has relied on student artists thus far, but said that he will reach out to more professional artists in 2013.
Parking remains an issue on campus. But Arredondo said that, while his gallery may not attract more than 300 patrons, "What is important is that this exhibit attracts a lot of people who may never visit us otherwise."
Arthur Ramos will provide the live entertainment at the Landmark Gallery Friday, Arredondo added.
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