IN PERSON

RSVP

Celebrate Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) at the Fowler Museum! Join the Comité San Simón for a blessing that will begin the festivities and enjoy a tour of Descanse en Paz: Memorial Paintings from 19th-Century Mexico exhibition led by Lilly Endowment Curator of Art and Religion Patrick A. Polk. Create mini ofrendas (shrines/offerings) and ornamental sugar skull piñatas with artist Maria Elena Cruzto honor those who have passed away. End the afternoon with a performance by Mariachi Alta California and delicious pastries from La Monarca Bakery & Cafe.

1pm-1:20pm: Opening blessing by Comité San Simón; courtyard

2pm: Curator-led exhibition tour of Descanse en Paz; Joss gallery

2-4pm: Sugar skull piñatas and mini ofrendas: art-making activity with artist and educator Maria Elena Cruz; courtyard 

3-4pm: Mariachi Alta California performance; amphitheater

Maria Elena Cruz is a professional artist, curator, art educator, and community builder. She is the founder-director of Dial Art: “A Call to enrich, empower, and serve communities through art.” She has been designing curricula and teaching art for over 20 years. Maria also exhibits her fine art and curates group exhibitions in various galleries throughout California and abroad.

Mariachi Alta California first began at UCLA in 2006. The band was started by members of the student group, Mariachi de Uclatlán. A few years later, with graduation, the group decided to take the band off campus. They landed a residency in Santa Monica and the rest was history. Over the years, the members have ventured into various professions, but always gather to what brought them together as young college students: la música del mariachi.