Ball State Art Museum Helps Families Learn About Days of the Dead

Ball State University's Museum of Art is sponsoring "Days of the Dead Family Day" on October 28.

Ball State University's Museum of Art aims to help individuals learn about the Mexican traditions surrounding the Days of the Dead, also known as Las Dias de Los Muertos with the event "Days of the Dead Family Day". This event is open to the public at no charge.

While in the United States Halloween is celebrated, in Mexico Days of the Dead are celebrated. Days of the Dead or Las Dias de Los Muertos is a joyous time in which souls of those who have passed away come back to visit their families. No tears are shed on the Days of the Dead as to not make the deceased persons' paths home slippery.

The Days of the Dead date back to the Aztec, who believed death was merely a passageway to a different kind of existence. Las Dias de Los Muertos are celebrated on November 1 and November 2. November 1^st is typically the day deceased children are celebrated and remembered while November 2^nd is reserved for remembering the deceased adults.

Ball State University's Museum of Art will provide an array of activities and learning opportunities for children and their families on October 28^th.

The Chavez weavers from Mexico will be present at the event to talk about their customs in celebrating the Days of the Dead. The Chavez weavers will also discuss how they created an altar for the National Museum of Mexican Art located in Chicago, Illinois.

Families will also have the opportunity to paint sugar skulls, calavera, the primary symbol for the Days of the Dead. In addition, families can taste the "bread of the dead" as well as Mexican candies. The Museum will allow visitors to view some of their Mexican death-related art.

Participants will also have the opportunity to learn about and make paper punching. The Museum will also display an altar created by Ball State University's Latino Student Union and visitors will have an opportunity to learn about altars used to honor the dead as well.

The "Days of the Dead Family Day" is organized by Ball State University's Museum of Art in addition to the Latino Student Union, Ball State Spanish professors, and the Spanish Club.