Dia de los Muertos is a traditional celebration that takes place on All Souls Day and All Saints Day on November 1st and 2nd. It goes back to the time when Spaniard settlers first came to Mexico. They witnessed the indigenous people practicing a ritual that seemed to mock the dead when, in fact, they were honoring the dead. They believed death was not the end of life but only the continuation of it. Today, Dia de los Muertos has become a part of Mexican culture and is a celebration that is full of history, symbols, and traditions. With its increasing popularity outside of Mexican-American culture, La Peña continues to bring the cultural tradition of Dia de los Muertos to the community.

This year’s exhibition showcases the work of Veronica Castillo. She comes from a family of clay sculptors and she continues the tradition from her father. Her sculptures depict Calacas. Calacas are sometimes humorous depictions of skeletons. Whereas skeletons are seen as something morbid in American culture, they are used as celebratory depictions during Dia de los Muertos in Mexico. Veronica Castillo’s calacas offer traditional imagery but also offer a more contemporary look.