Calavera Printmaking

El Dia de los Muertos is a holiday that focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died. It is particularly celebrated in Mexico, where it attains the quality of a National Holiday. The celebration takes place on November 1st and 2nd, in connection with the Catholic holidays of All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day. Traditions connected with the holiday include building private altars, called “ofrendas,” honoring the deceased using sugar skulls, marigolds, and the favorite foods and beverages of the departed. Families visit and clean the gravesites, elaborately decorate them and often spend the night there; hoping the spirits of the departed will join them as they recall fond memories about those they have lost.

Calaveras, prominent symbols of el Dia de los Muertos, are often depicted as animated skeleton characters as a reminder that departed loved ones are never really absent - they are near and dear to one's heart. Fifth grade artists designed Calaveras (Spanish for “skulls”) of their own in this printmaking project, after learning about the holiday from Senora Menefee. Students created designs that were stylized and simplified which they transferred to a rubber-like printing plate. Using a special carving tool called a gouge, students focused on balancing the positive and negative space in their piece. Finished plates were printed with colorful inks and papers to create a series of prints for display. Lastly a tissue paper marigold (a popular flower of the holiday) adorns each work of art!

 Proud fifth graders under the prints drying on the line!