By KRWG News
Silver City – The McCray Gallery at Western New Mexico University is hosting its annual Day of the Dead exhibit with an opening reception on Wednesday, November 2 from 4:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
The month-long exhibition will feature altars, or ofrendas, celebrating the lives of past loved-ones by area community members. Traditional altars are hand decorated with homemade flowers, candles and pictures.
The McCray Gallery is asking anyone who is attending the opening reception to bring a photo of a remembered loved one to be placed in a large alter. Small hand-made or hand-decorated objects are also welcome.
The opening reception's schedule includes a live performance by Mariachi Tierra Bella and festive food. Altars contributed by community members will honor family members and artists that have passed.
This year's Day of the Dead exhibit is titled Dia de Los Muertos: Familia de Raices Mexicanas Exhibici n. The exhibit will emphasize the origins of the celebration based on ancient indigenous Mexican cultures prior to the Spanish conquest, a time when life and death were accepted as natural cycles, and when family members passed, their return was anticipated annually on this day set aside for reunion and remembrance. A special place of welcome or ofrenda/altar is decorated with festive fresh flowers of the season (zumpesuche/marigolds), favorite foods, pan de muerto and handcrafts dear to the returning souls including water to quench their thirst from the long journey.
The McCray Gallery of Contemporary Art, Department of Chicana/Chicano and Hemispheric Studies, the Office of Multicultural Affairs and Student Activities, and the MEChA Club sponsor the exhibition.
Regular McCray Gallery hours are Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information, please contact 575-538-6517 or mccraygallery@wnmu.edu.