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Make Your Own Sugar Skull or Skeleton Mask at Day of the Dead Workshops

By Patty Wetli | October 17, 2014 5:32am
 Eugene Field Park is hosting a slate of workshops to celebrate Day of the Dead.
Eugene Field Park is hosting a slate of workshops to celebrate Day of the Dead.
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Flickr/Anjelica Renee H

ALBANY PARK — Get into the spirit of Dia de los Muertos at a series of Day of the Dead workshops planned for Eugene Field Park.

The holiday, Nov. 1-2, is a festive remembrance of loved ones who've died and is celebrated through activities like creating altars in honor of the deceased, cleaning and decorating graves and telling stories about the departed.

Throughout the week of Monday to Oct. 25, Eugene Field Park, 5100 N. Ridgeway Ave., will host workshops where participants will learn how to create objects traditionally associated with Day of the Dead.

Day of the Dead Mask Painting, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Monday: Paint and decorate a plaster mask in the image of La Catrina, one of the most recognized Dia de los Muertos symbols. The skeleton is meant to be colorful and joyful, not scary. Open to ages 8 and up (children 8-12 must be accompanied by an adult). Cost is $15 per person, register here.

Frida Kahlo Tote Bag Decorating, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesday: Kahlo, whose art drew heavily from Mexican folk traditions, has become an integral figure in Day of the Dead celebrations. At this workshop, participants will decorate canvas bags with images of Kahlo and her artwork. Open to ages 8 and up (children 8-12 must be accompanied by an adult). Cost is $20 per person, register here.

Jewelry Workshop, 5:30-8 p.m. Oct. 24: Design your own earrings, necklace and bracelet using beads that feature Day of the Dead themes. The $20 fee includes treats like champurrado (hot chocolate made with corn masa) and pan de muerto (bread of the dead), a sweet bun-like bread. Register here; ages 8 and up, female only.

Sugar Skull Workshop, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 1:30-3:30 p.m. Oct. 25: Sugar skulls are one of the most popular offerings (ofrenda) placed on Day of the Dead altars. Made of sugar, the skulls are brightly decorated with icing, glitter, beads, sequins, feathers, foil, flowers, hats and more. Often the name of the recipient — living or dead — is written in icing on the skull's forehead. The $20 fee includes servings of champurrado and pan de muerto. Ages 6 and up, children 6-12 must be accompanied by an adult. Register here for the morning session and here for the afternoon session.

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