Display layout in the Palomar College Library.

This exhibit is on display at Palomar College Library from October 17 through November 14, 2002. It focuses on the Mexican celebration of  Día de Los Muertos or The Day of the Dead which occurs November 2 and the preceding evening of  November 1. Similar to All Saint's Day and All Soul's Day in the Catholic calendar, the Day of the Dead is a time when Mexicans visit the graves of their relatives, cleaning and arranging fresh flowers and perhaps repainting the headstones.

Click on the thumbnail picture to see each case.

One of the horizontal cases, lined with "Fiesta de los muertos" fabric.

Setting up the display.

CCreators: Alexis and José Creators: Alexis and José

Alexis Ciurczak	José Rangel

Click on the following thumbnail pictures to see details from the display:

Sugar sculpture (alfeñique).

El Catrin and La Catrina.

Calaveras de azucar.

The Ofrenda or altar is an important component of this celebration.

Sugar skull.

Special stamp commemorating Posada issued in Mexico.

Mexican prints by José Guadalupe Posada.

Sugar skull and mold.

Sugar skull and tin skeleton.

More alfeñique lambs..

"Day of the Dead" card game.	A book and miniatures come in the box.	"Shooting Pool" miniatures; note the skeleton head balls.
La Catrina as created by Alexis.	The "Drinking Skeleton" is a popular figure.	Vase with flowers typical of grave decoration.
Cardboard toy.	Mexican sodas and alfeñique lambs.	Calaveras - sugar skulls.

Our library has many books about The Day of the Dead.	Mexican toys--coffins and skeletons are popular.
Books about the artist Posada.	Paper maché pan de muerto and alfeñique mole, rice, and enchiladas.
Virgen de Guadalupe.	Fiesta de los muertos fabric detail.

For more close-ups of the display, such as Virgin de Guadalupe, Mexican miniatures, and intricate "papel" designs, go to the web pages for 1999 Day of the Dead , 2000 Day of  the Dead or 2001 Day of the Dead.

Go to the El Día de los Muertos webpage. This is a permanent Web site which explores this very unique Mexican tradition and includes an extensive bibliography as well as numerous links to other Internet resources on the subject.

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 This page was compiled by Glenna Mitchell.