by Gloria Cowdin

For many St. Teresa’s students, the days following Halloween are a time to sit back, relax and eat an excess of candy. For some, however, Nov. 1 and 2 mark a special holiday: Día de los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead.

STA sophomore Isabela Solorio knows the festivities surrounding this holiday firsthand. The Day of the Dead is an especially busy time for Solorio’s Mexican folkloric dance troupe, El Grupo Atotonilco. The company performed at the Nelson Atkins Museum of Art for the Día de los Muertos festivities Nov.  2.

Every year, the Nelson holds a public celebration or Día de los Muertos in collaboration with Mattie Rhodes Center, an agency that “enriches the lives of individuals, families and communities in a respectful, multicultural environment” according to their website. The celebration provides free arts and crafts, musical performances, dance routines and more.

According to Nelson volunteer Jessica Manco, this function is “a great community event where people can come together and think about our lost loved ones and celebrate and learn about a different culture.”

Day of the Dead is a two-to three-day Mexican holiday which celebrates the lives of passed loved ones. The festivities may start Oct. 31 but traditionally begin Nov. 1, when dead children are remembered. Nov. 2 marks a time to commemorate deceased adults. To respect loved ones who have passed, many families build altars that are decorated with the deceased’s favorite foods, drinks and objects. Other customs include making sugar skulls, cleaning grave sites and decorating the house with marigolds.

Although the holiday is traditionally Hispanic, it resonates with people of many different cultures. Children, adolescents and adults of all racial backgrounds participated in the Nelson’s activities, and many people arrived with complete face paint and costumes.

One such attendee was Jane Gold, a Kansas City resident who has found a personal connection with Día de los Muertos.  Gold said she has traded Halloween festivities for the Día de los Muertos celebration.

“I’ve gone to different places in Mexico, like Oaxaca, during Day of the Dead to see how different communities do it,” Gold said.

Along with the festive side of Día de los Muertos, Gold also observes the somber truth behind the holiday.

“I’ve had a lot of people die in my family, starting when I was very young,” Gold said. “I have one relative left that’s still alive, so I just thought [the Day of the Dead] was great. It’s like our Memorial Day, but the way it should be done.”

Día de los Muertos is not the only celebration the Nelson puts on pro bono; in fact, it is part of an entire event series headed by the Nelson’s family educator, Sarah Schmiedeler. These events include the Thanksgiving Weekend Luminary Walk, Chinese New Year Celebration, Passport to India Festival, Mother’s Day Celebration and the Sculpture Park Annual Celebration. According to Schmiedeler, these events are planned months in advance to collaborate with community partners and bring together Kansas Citians of every background.

“[This event series is] one of the ways that the museum reaches out to Kansas City and to various communities in Kansas City to welcome them to the museum,” Schmiedeler said.

However, Schmiedeler said the event is a two-way street, relying on the donations of museum-goers to support the many activities the Nelson provides for free.

“It’s really amazing that Kansas City has such a strong support for the arts,” Schmiedeler said. “The Nelson-Atkins is a private museum and relies on donations… So, [this event] is just our testament to what a great town Kansas City is to support the museum.”