In Hispanic tradition, the Day of the Dead custom celebrates the periodic return of the spirits of the dead, who partake of their favorite material things and help guide the living on their journeys. To honor their loved ones, people create ofrendas (altars) which include items used and enjoyed by the deceased in life. WPCA’s exhibit, curated by Rosa M. Zamora, includes both traditional and non-traditional ofrendas made by individuals and groups, as well as related artwork. Photographs taken by Al Balinsky of traditional Dia de los Muertos activities during his travels in Mexico are a special addition to this year’s exhibit. Each year children in WPCA’s Hands On afterschool art program study the Day of the Dead tradition and create their own ofrenda (altar) in the gallery. Local merchants and families contribute to the celebration by donating flowers and traditional sweets (pan de muertos) for the memorial altars.

Dia de los Muertos: Celebrating Life and Family is dedicated this year to the victims of the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington on Sept. 11 The Dia de los Muertos tradition honors and reflects upon the lives of those who have died. It is a joyful celebration of treasured memories of times spent with relatives and friends. For this year’s exhibit, Milwaukee native Donna Leung, a sophomore majoring in communication design at the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design, will create a full-size wall mural depicting the World Trade Center tragedy, providing a backdrop for the community altar which commemorates those who died.

A range of activities for both children and adults will be offered throughout the exhibition featuring:

* Demonstrations of the traditional craft of sugar-skull making will be given by Paloma Chavez and others throughout the evening.

* Many of the ofrenda artists from the Walkers Point neighborhood will also be on hand to talk with visitors about their work and its very personal meaning. Twelve to fifteen ofrendas will be on display.

* A slide presentation about Dia de los Muertos celebrations in Mexico will be shown at 7 p.m.

* Beginning at 8 p.m., enjoy a traditional musical performance by Reyes Esparza and his band.

* A short story about the Day of the Dead by Gloria Gonzales-Villanueza will be read by the author.

A donation of $2 is suggested. Decorated sugar skulls will be available for purchase, and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Sept. 11th Fund. Participants in the opening celebration are also encouraged to bring a can of food or memorial for the Community Altar.

Special tours of the Dia de los Muertos exhibition are available at a nominal cost ($3 per student) to school groups Nov. 5-30. These tours are available by reservation only and are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis. Each tour includes a related age-appropriate art project and an opportunity to contribute personally to the community altar. Interested educators should call Karla Fuller at (414) 672-2787 as soon as possible, as the dates fill quickly.

For more information about Dia de los Muertos and related events and activities at WPCA, call the center office at (414) 672-2787. The exhibition closes Dec. 1.