Calavera Prints inspired by el Dia de los Muertos

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 alters 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 spirts of the departed will join them as they recall fond memories about those they have lost. Fifth graders were lucky to have Senora Menefee come to our art class to teach us about the holiday and the traditions associated with it. Here is a photo during her presentation:

One thing Senora Menefee taught us about was Calaveras (Spanish for "skulls"), which are prominent symbols of el Dia de los Muertos and 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 of their own in this project. Looking at library books, pictures of calaveras from the Internet, and even viewing the life-size skeleton I borrowed from the Science department, students created skull designs that were stylized and simplified, which they then 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. Here are a few shots of the process:

 And here are the final pieces: