Lawndale Art Center's 21st Annual
Día de los Muertos

Gala and Retablo Silent Auction  |  Musical Ofrenda   
Community Ofrenda | Sugar Skull Workshop | Family Day Fiesta 
For Teachers and Students  |  Volunteer |  Participate in the Event

Retablo Exhibition
October 20 - November 8, 2008

Lawndale Art Center is pleased to present its 21st Annual Día de los Muertos series of programs, a celebration of the art, music and practices of Mexico. Lawndale invites Texas artists to create their own interpretation of the traditional tin devotional painting practice in Mexico known as the retablo in this annual exhibition.

Gala and Retablo Silent Auction
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Artist, Member and Sponsor preview 6:00-7:00 PM
Gala and Silent Auction 7:00 - 9:00 PM
Chair, Nicole C. Laurent

Admission: $40 per person
$30 for Lawndale Members
Available at the door, by calling 713.528.5858
or email askus@lawndaleartcenter.org

The festivities begin with a silent auction Thursday, October 23. The auction of retablos, created and donated by over 250 Texas artists, will 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 by Bowl, La Strada - Montrose, Patrón Tequila, REEF, St. Arnold Brewing Company, The Sweet Stuff Limited and Tart Cafe, along with Latin grooves by Mr. Bristle and friends.

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Musical Ofrenda
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
5:30-7:30 PM

During Día de los Muertos families create ofrendas or altars to remember and honor the memory of their ancestors. River Oaks Chamber Orchestra (ROCO), Houston Chamber Choir and Musiqa will present short original contemporary, classic compositions as musical ofrendas. Each piece was written as a remembrance in the tradition of making an offering during the Día de los Muertos celebrations. Join ROCO, Houston Chamber Choir, Musiqa and Lawndale Art Center on Tuesday, October 28, 5:30 - 7:30 pm, for an evening of celebration and remembrance. Admission is free. This event is a partnership between ROCO, Houston Chamber Choir, Musiqa and Lawndale Art Center.

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Community Offrenda
October 20 – November 8, 2008

Starting October 20, guests are encouraged to bring a personal item of remembrance to add to our community altar honoring departed loved ones.

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Sugar Skull Workshop
Thursday, October 30, 2008
4:00-7:00 PM

In conjunction with our 21st annual Día de los Muertos celebration, Lawndale Art Center is offering a sugar skull making workshop. Stop in for a quick lesson, or stick around and help us make skulls to be decorated at our Family Day Fiesta on Saturday, November 1st. The workshop is free and open to the public. All participants may take home one sugar skull and a printed recipe.

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Family Day Fiesta
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Noon - 4:00 PM

Admission: Free
Lawndale’s 21st 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, paper 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 along with various children’s activities, such as decorating sugar skulls. Award-winning baritone Octavio Moreno, a member of Houston Grand Opera's acclaimed Studio program and native of Hermosillo, Mexico will serenade us with some songs from home at 12:30 PM, followed by performances from Mixteco Ballet Folklorico  at 1:30 and 3:00 PM.

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Students and Teachers

For information about Día de los Muertos please visit Lawndale's Teacher's Resource Page. This site, assembled by Carrie Green Markello, serves as an excellent resource for students and teachers interested in learning about the history and traditions of this unique holiday.

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Participate in the Event

Ways you can participate in Lawndale's Día de los Muertos events:

• If you are an artist, you can submit a retablo for Lawndale's silent auction. Pick up a sheet of metal from Lawndale while supplies last and return to us as your artwork submission. With your submission, you will be given one admission ticket to our well-attended gala/silent auction. At least 50% of the proceeds made from the sale of your retablo help Lawndale present the work of artists from this region. Click here for the entry form.

• Introduce your students to the Día de los Muertos tradition by scheduling a tour with the Lawndale staff.

• Bring personal items for Lawndale's community altar.

• Volunteer for Día de los Muertos events

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