Colorado’s largest Día de los Muertos
The Day of the Dead, celebration began at the Longmont Museum & Cultural Center on October 1 with the opening of the annual exhibition
La Ofrenda de los Muertos: Honoring Days of the Dead.
Andres Chao, Consul General Mexico in Denver stated, “Visitors from around state will experience one of Mexico’s oldest traditions, “
Dia de los Muertos.” Day of the Dead in Mexico represents a mixture of Christian devotion and Pre-Hispanic traditions and beliefs. As a result of this mixture, the celebration comes to life as a unique Mexican tradition including an altar and offerings dedicated to the deceased.”
This popular exhibition explores the history, art, and symbolism of Día de los Muertos, leading up to a community event on Saturday, October 29. Both the exhibition and the community event are free to the public.
Longmont Mayor Brian Baum remarked, “Longmont Museum’s Día de los Muertos exhibition and celebration has grown over the past decade to become the largest one in Colorado. The City is thrilled to sponsor an event that broadens cultural awareness through art.”
This year’s exhibition features altars from throughout the Longmont community, created and installed by community members in honor of deceased family members and friends, and the work of two artists, Zarco Guerrero and Laurie Beth Zuckerman. Guerrero, from Mesa, Arizona, is nationally renowned for his hand-carved wood and fiberglass skull masks.
Zuckerman, from Fort Collins, will create a large-scale altar installation in the Museum’s gallery, entitled “Homage to Old Mexico,” featuring found objects and vintage Mexican
recuerdos, and
handmade souvenirs from the 1800s and early 1900s.
Both artists will also present programs at the Longmont Museum – Zarco Guerrero will present a mask-making workshop and a storytelling festival. Laurie Beth Zuckerman will be the Altarmaker-in-residence at the Museum, installing her altar in the gallery and speaking with museum visitors on October 1, 2, and 7. She will also present an evening lecture on her experiences with Día de los Muertos in Mexico.
The Longmont Museum is partnering with the Consulate General of Mexico in Denver and the Mexican Cultural Center this year. In addition to the exhibition at the Longmont Museum, the Consulate General of Mexico and Mexican Cultural Center will host an exhibition of altars from October 20 to November 4 at 5350 Leetsdale Drive, Suite 200, Denver, CO 80246.
The celebration culminates with a free community event at the Longmont Museum
Saturday, October 29, 10 am to 5 pm.
Partake in
traditional food, decorate a sugar skull, participate in Day of the Dead-related crafts, and enjoy live entertainment throughout the day, highlighted by the noon performance of Mariachi Vasquez, joined by the Colorado Mestizo Dancers at 12:30.
Major sponsors of Día de los Muertos at the Longmont Museum include the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District, the Friends of the Longmont Museum, the Longmont Community Foundation, the Community Foundation Serving Boulder County, and Ollin Farms.
Public Programs
Homage to Old Mexico: A tribute to 20th-century traditional folk arts
With Laurie Beth Zuckerman, Altarmaker-in-Residence
Wednesday October 12, 7 pm
$5, Free for Friends members
Join Laurie Beth Zuckerman as she shares her striking images of contemporary Día de los Muertos ofrendas and cemetery altars from Colonial Mexico. This lively presentation will be followed be a gallery tour of Zuckerman’s ofrenda installation “Homage to Old Mexico."
Volunteer Sugar Skull Making Day
Drop in to help make sugar skulls for the Longmont Museum’s Day of the Dead celebration on October 29. Groups of 8 or more, please call ahead: 303-651-8723.
Young children will require adult assistance.
Free admission
.
Calacas! Skeletons! at the Longmont Public Library
409 4th Avenue,
303-651-8477
Monday, October 24, 6 to 8 pm
Ages 3 and up.
Make and decorate your own paper calaca (skeleton) in this popular program! Free admission.
Day of the Dead Celebration
Saturday, October 29, 10 am – 5 pm
Longmont Museum, 400 Quail Road, Longmont CO 80501
Enjoy authentic dance, music, sugar skull decorating, traditional food, and much more in the largest Day of the Dead celebration in Colorado. Come dressed in your finest “calaca” (skeleton) apparel! Free admission.
