“This is a wonderful cultural and educational opportunity for the community to learn more about the Dia de los Muertos and to celebrate life,” and all activities are free noted Montes.Montes has created a series of Day of the Dead paintings showing the joy of those in the afterlife who visit on Dia de los Muertos where they are showered with food, drink and affection by those still living loved ones.The original artist known for his Day of the Day works was Jose Guadalupe Posada (1852-1913), a Mexican artist, folk illustrator, and political cartoonist.Posada was a fierce champion of the downtrodden who used gaily his dressed skeletons to poke fun at the elitist government then in charge of Mexico.The wonderful illustrations produced by Posada - who inspired generations of great Mexican artists - have delighted people over many years and his art, notably his elegant La Catrina, has become almost synonymous with the Day of the Dead celebration.For more information, call Veronica Vera-Vargas of the Santa Paula Family Resource Center at 525-6616.
Day of the Dead: Dia de los Muertos celebration to include procession
November 02, 2005
Santa Paula News
An artist famous for his Day of the Dead paintings will be leading a community celebration Wednesday at Ebell Park including a Main Street parade celebrating Dia de los Muertos.
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesAn artist famous for his Day of the Dead paintings will be leading a community celebration Wednesday at Ebell Park including a Main Street parade celebrating Dia de los Muertos.Xavier “Big X” Montes’ De Colores Art Group has been working with the Santa Paula Family Resource Center, Latino Town Hall and Danza Azteca Tonantzin on the Dia de los Muertos, aka Day of the Dead.The groups started working together at workshops staged last week to explore the origins of Dia de los Muertos as well as to create beautiful traditional art pieces customary to the traditional holiday.On Wednesday, Nov. 2 at 5 p.m. the community is invited to gather at Ebell Park (located at the corner of 7th and Main streets) where face painting, music and dance will continue the Dia de los Muertos celebration.Montes, also a noted harpist, will provide the music along with his 10-year-old protégé Danya Zizumbo. Danza Azteca Tonantzin will perform thrilling dances (danza).At approximately 6:30 p.m. a Dia de los Muertos procession will leave Ebell Park and march to the east to the offices of the Santa Paula Family Resource Center, 940 E. Main St. where the celebration of life will continue with the blessing of the altar, more danza, and refreshments.
