Merced residents honor deceased with ‘Day of the Dead’ art

Mexican folklore has it that at midnight on the first day of November, the doors of heaven open and the spirits of the dead are allowed to return to their families.

On Nov. 2, families in certain regions of Mexico and other Latin American countries pay their respects to the dead by preparing special foods and building altars at home and at cemeteries. The tradition has transcended generations and borders and is now celebrated across the United States.

In Merced, Día de los Muertos (“Day of the Dead”) is recognized through art.

The holiday has inspired the latest exhibit at the Multicultural Arts Center that opened this week.

Martha O. Acevedo, a board member of the Merced County Arts Council, was setting up her altar at the group exhibit Friday. She explained that her altar was in honor of her parents, who would have been 100 years old next year. Photos of her parents’ wedding were at the center of the altar. She also had photos of her brother who died in 2009.

Her altar, Acevedo said, took a more modern design. Rather than the traditional marigolds, which are usually the go-to flowers for Day of the Dead, she chose to decorate her setup with yellow roses in honor of Texas, her father’s birthplace.

The Día de los Muertos exhibit at the Multicultural Arts Center also features acrylic paintings by local high school students and Merced College students. An altar in honor of UC Merced students who have died since 2007 is also on display.

Large, handcrafted skulls hang from the ceiling, quickly capturing visitors’ eyes. Colorful skulls, Acevedo said, are very common and representative of the holiday.

“Traditionally, it’s a reminder that death shouldn’t be feared, that it’s part of life,” Acevedo said.

On Thursday, the Mariposa Art Company, located on M Street near downtown, held a workshop in which artists taught visitors how to make paper flowers and “papel picado” (perforated paper), which is used for decoration during this holiday.

Patty Pratt, co-owner of the art shop, said such workshops usually draw parents who want their children to learn about the Día de los Muertos tradition. “We have such a strong Mexican and Spanish culture here, and this is one way to make it more public,” said Pratt.

She explained that the workshops are designed to be low-budget and simple so parents can watch, learn and try the art at home.

The shop is also preparing for a Loteria-themed Day of the Dead art exhibit scheduled for Saturday. Loteria is a popular Mexican card game, similar to bingo. The exhibit will gather more than 40 artists, each responsible for creating art prints for Loteria cards. The art exhibit will be open starting at 8 p.m. at 1637 M St.

Día de los Muertos also coincides with the Roman Catholic celebration of All Saints and All Souls Day, observed on Nov. 1 and 2, respectively. On Nov. 2, many Merced families make their way to Hornitos Cemetery in Mariposa.

Every year, the Rev. Steve Bulfer of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Mariposa leads a candlelight procession to the cemetery behind St. Catherine’s Catholic Church. Participants gather around the grave of Candelaria de Sapien, an early Hornitos resident who is credited with reviving the Mexican tradition in Mariposa County.

The procession is followed by Mass and a small reception.

The tradition, Bulfer explained, is based on the belief that death is not the end. The event at Hornitos drew more than 500 people last year and about 750 the year before that, according to organizers.

This year, people are asked to meet at the Hornitos Plaza at 6 p.m. Those who wish to participate are advised to bring their own candles for placement on graves.

This story was originally published October 16, 2015 at 6:42 PM with the headline "Merced residents honor deceased with ‘Day of the Dead’ art."