Day of the Dead events: Oct. 24-Nov. 4.
An exhibition, “Dia de los Muertos,” will be on display in the UMD Multicultural Center, located in the 2nd floor of the Kirby Student Center, Monday, October 24 through Friday, November 4. The exhibit is free and open to the public. It is sponsored by the Office Diversity & Inclusion, the Latino/Chicano Student Association, and Art Education students.
On Halloween, Oct. 31, UMD Art Education students will install papier mâché sculptures for their annual Art Ed ofrenda (Spanish for offering), also in the Multicultural Center. The students will conduct programs for school children on November 2 in the Multicultural Center. Children will view the ofrendas and talk about Dia de los Muertos. Stations, staffed by Art Ed students, will be available for the children to make papel picado (punched paper), decorate paper calacas (skull masks) and calavera (dancing skeletons), and make flores de papel (paper flowers) and Ojo de Dios (Eye of God) yarn designs.
On Friday, November 4, the UMD Latino/Chicano Student Organization will host a Night of the Dead Dance. This event will be held in the Kirby Ballroom from 7-11 pm. It is free and open to the public.
Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a tradition dating back to Aztec civilization. The Aztecs believe that the souls of the Dead return home to the world of the living.