SPECIAL EVENTS

Lawndale Art Center is pleased to present its 23rd Annual Día de los Muertos Events, a celebration of the art, music and practices of Mexico.

For over twenty years Lawndale has presented an annual open call, non-juried exhibition that celebrates the Mexican tradition of Día de los Muertos in a contemporary context. This program supports area artists and students by offering them an opportunity to show their works to diverse audiences in a museum quality setting. Over the years additional programming has been developed to educate audiences and encourage dialogue in celebration of Mexican-American heritage in our region.

Día de los Muertos programs and exhibitions at Lawndale Art Center promote cultural awareness of Mexican folk art practices associated with this celebration of family, life and community.

Retablo Exhibition
On view October 18 - November 6, 2009
In 1988, Lawndale Art Center presented its first annual Día de los Muertos exhibition of retablos: small art works inspired by the traditional Latin American devotional art form of the same name. It is now one of Lawndale’s most popular programs that reaches out to communities across the region. Lawndale invites artists and the public to create contemporary interpretations of retablos on 8” x 10” pieces of sheet metal. These retablos are then sold at the gala to benefit both Lawndale and the artists.

Many well-known Houston and nationally known artists participate; the exhibition attracts a large audience and the gala is one of the most fun parties in Houston! Día de los Muertos is Lawndale’s only open-call, non-juried exhibition.

The retablo Silent Auction is our single largest fund raising event of the year.

Community Ofrenda
October 18 - November 6, 2009
Starting October 18, guests are encouraged to bring a personal item of remembrance to add to our community altar honoring departed loved ones

Gala and Silent Auction
Friday, October 22, 2010, 7 – 9 PM
Member and Sponsor Preview, 6 – 7 pm
Friday, October 22, 2010 Co-Chairs: Dr. Penelope Gonzales & Miri Wilkins

The festivities begin with a silent auction Friday, October 22, co-chaired by Dr. Penelope Gonzales & Miri Wilkins. The auction of retablos, created and donated by over 200 Texas artists, feature contemporary interpretations of this traditional, devotional art.

Guests will also enjoy Día de los Muertos exhibitions in the Cavnar and Mezzanine Galleries which feature the works of Houston school children. Complimentary food and drinks will be provided for attending guests by local restaurants.

For ticket information, call 713-528-5858.

Musical Ofrenda
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
6-7:30 PM
Performances begin at 6:30 PM

Join us for an evening of celebration and remembrance. During Día de los Muertos families create ofrendas or altars to remember and honor the memory of their ancestors.

ROCO (River Oaks Chamber Orchestra) and Musiqa will present short original contemporary, classic compositions as musical ofrendas. Inprint will also present original readings written in the tradition of making an offering during the Día de los Muertos celebrations.

This event is a partnership between ROCO, Inprint, Musiqa and Lawndale Art Center.

Papel Picado Workshop
Thursday, October 28, 2010
6 PM
Houston art educator and Lawndale supporter, Jean King, will lead a papel picado workshop as part of this year's Día de los Muertos celebration.

The workshop is free and open to the public. Visitors will not only learn about the traditional art of Mexican paper cutting from one of the best, but will also get to create and take home their own unique perforated paper creation.

Sugar Skull Workshop
Thursday, November 4, 2010
6 PM
In conjunction with our 23rd annual Día de los Muertos celebration, Lawndale Art Center is offering a sugar skull making workshop. The workshop is free and open to the public. Registrations is requested as space is limted.

To register, please email dnance@lawndaleartcenter.org.  Bring a bag of sugar and add it to the mix or just drop in for a quick demonstration. All participants may take home one sugar skull and a printed recipe.

Family Day Fiesta
Saturday, November 6, 2010, 12PM - 4 PM
Admission: Free
Lawndale's 23rd Annual Día de los Muertos celebration continues with a Saturday fiesta honoring participating teachers and students whose works of art can be viewed in the Cavnar and Mezzanine Galleries.

Sugar skulls, papel picado, papier mache skeletons, retablos, altars and large-scale installations are just a few of the many projects on display.

Guests will enjoy hot chocolate and pan de muerto and various children's activities, such as decorating sugar skulls, along with performances including Mixteco Ballet Folklorico.