Dia De Los Muertos Celebration and Exhibition at New Parks and Rec Building by Elizabeth Nisperos

South San Francisco, CA  October 27, 2023 by Elizabeth Nisperos, Guest Contributor

Dia De Los Muertos Celebration and Exhibition at New Parks and Rec Building

South San Francisco have new buildings: Police Parks and Recreation, Library.

You are welcome to see the new Parks and Rec, building at the same time celebrate De Los Muertos(Day of the Dead) colorful, fun-filled event on October 28, 29 from 11:00 am to 4 pm, third floor Gallery section at 901 Civic Campus Way.

Sponsored by the SSF Cultural Arts Commission, the event is coordinated by Peninsula Diamond Awardee Ercie Santos. Kids and adults can color masks, create la catrina, make a pin, and design sugar skulls at Creator Studio while supplies last.

Death is often related to sadness, mourning, grief, loss but Dia De Los Muertos, a national Mexican heritage celebrates and believes our loved ones who passed away are having a joyful and enjoying afterlife. Skeletons(calaveras) with bright costumes, skulls painted with flowers, graves, favorite food and drinks (ofrendas) of the departed are seen in decorations. Catholic traditions celebrate with Mass, crosses, prayers on altars for the souls though initially the Aztecs had their own pagan rites. Festivities of offering food to the dead at cemeteries are also seen in the Philippines and Chinese cultures.

Traditionally, the event is celebrated on November 1(All Saints Day) and November 2 (All Souls Day). October 31 is Halloween. Most people forget Hallow means ‘holy’; there is a Hallow app with Catholic prayers. Discussions and debates have been ongoing because today Halloween are celebrated with horror icons. Halloween has become a secular event where children go Trick or Treat.

Originally All Saints Day was celebrated on May 13 as decreed by  Pope Boniface in the 7^th century but Pope Gregory III changed All Saints Day to November 1 which was original a pagan festival Samhain. All Hallows eve , the day before All Saints Day became Halloween. For those debating whether Halloween is holy or not, history states it is both holy  and a pagan rite. My two cents opinion, the BER months of September, October, November, December are celebrations of the “people who dwelt in darkness have seen a great Light”.  The darkness of Halloween in October, Thanksgiving in November are pathways to December to celebrate a great Divine Light, Christmas.

I was going to paint a ‘WITCH HUNT’ art piece since the word ‘witch hunt ‘ is popular in the news.

Good ,I read the rules for entry that Halloween icons such as witches, goblins, devils, spiders, pumpkins, bats, etc are NOT considered for the Day of the Dead exhibit  pieces.

October is also Holy Rosary Month. I bought three rosaries and a St Anthony figure which came from Bethlehem artisans. I dreamt about the rosary before I started painting about witches.

I’ve two pieces considered as one series titled “Rosary Prayers for the Dead”. What the world needs now is Prayers,Love and Kindness in a time of turbulence and violence.

Another venue in San Mateo County  where you can have fun:

Skylawn looks more like a beautiful park in a mountain than a cemetery. Skylawn Memorial Park and Cemetery is located at Highway 92, Skyline Blvd, San Mateo. Everyone is invited to join the celebration  Dia de los Muertos Cultural Festival on Sat Oct 28 & Sun Oct 29: 10AM  to 3PM.

I’ve attended this occasion one time, I felt I was in a festival having fun rather than mourning in a cemetery. Bring your family to enjoy:

Celebration of Life, Mariachis, Ballet Folkorico, Stilt Walkers, Aztec Dancers, Standford Bloodmobile, Door Prizes, Traditional Food, Craft Vendors, Face Painting, Free Eye Exams for Children.

The world is experiencing turbulence, what the world needs now is on the song below: it is not just for some but for everyone.

What the World Now is Love

https://youtu.be/2cW8Alo_5uI?si=jFwwW7dBU32uu7LP