by Jennifer Barrett -Sculptor/Educator/Professional Tinkerer
Last October, I posted an article exploring Halloween, and all the fun things that parents can create with their children during this spooky-fun time of year. Although Halloween is so much a part of American culture, there is another holiday that begins at midnight on October 31st every year. This national Mexican holiday celebrates death as something that should not be feared. Rather, Day of the Dead, or Dia de los Muertos, welcomes the departed spirits back home on this night.
Inspiration:
Peru. The mountains. The art. Ancestors. An art gallery in the heart of Lima showing the work of Claudio Jimenez, Peruvian retablo maker who often creates his sculptures with a Day of the Dead theme. I remember the inspiration his work gave me when I first saw the dancing skeletons playing musical instruments. Death is practically taboo in our culture, yet a life well-lived is celebrated abroad. This shift in perspective was the inspiration for creating lessons and art around this fascinating holiday. 
Everyday Art Lesson:
Focus: Dia de los Muertos
Mess Factor: Moderate
Ages: Can be modified for ages 0-18 years
Objectives: Younger kids can create sugar skull popsicle stick masks, while older kids can make sugar skull paintings that honor a role model or loved one. They can incorporate symbolism with paint or collage.
*Although this subject matter is not the easiest one to discuss with children of any age, let alone young children, no one knows your child’s readiness for such conversations better than you. Feel free to modify this project as needed if it is too scary or too upsetting to your child. No tears!
Suggested Materials:
Babies, toddlers, and younger kids: Sugar skull popsicle stick mask
• Popsicle stick
• Skull template or free downloadable sugar skull design from sites like Pinterest
• Scissors
• Glue
• Adornments (beads, sparkles, etc.)
Younger children can create masks using free downloadable templates (see link below).
Print out a template on thicker paper, or use 2 sheets of regular paper for front and back. Cut it out, color it, and decorate it with different adornments. Household items like buttons, fabrics, and beads work well. Attach with glue to a popsicle stick, sandwiching the stick in the middle of the 2 papers.
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Older Kids: Sugar Skull Painting
• Watercolors
• Sharpies
• Oak tag
• Reference images
• Pencils
Discuss the meaning of Dia de los Muertos and look at different images. Students can pick out the symbolism in each one and determine the meaning. Experiment with a variety of symbols to sketch designs for the final piece.
Demonstrate how to draw sugar skulls using the parentheses method: First, draw two large parentheses on the paper. Next, connect the parentheses on the top and bottom to make a circle. Draw a “U” shape under the circle for the chin. On the bottom of the original circle, draw vertical lines through for the teeth. Draw an upside-down heart for the nose. Put large hearts or flowers or circles for the eye sockets. Add symbolism and additional flowers to the composition.
Outline in sharpie, then paint with watercolors. Add collage elements or any embellishments to enhance the image.
(TIP: Always check for the ASTM d-4236 standard and ACMI AP seal, which should be on all art materials given to children. Materials are like ingredients. Many things can be substituted for what you have on hand.)
Jennifer Barrett is the Arts Liaison, Data Specialist, and Performing Arts Coordinator at a public junior high school in Brooklyn. She has taught visual arts there since 2002. During this time, she has guided countless students through the rigorous audition process of portfolio development, with many gaining acceptance into some of NYC’s most prestigious art schools. She founded Creative Space Arts in 2014 to offer a different kind of all-ages art studio, always changing and inspired by the immersive environment of galleries and other creative spaces. In the spring of 2016, she launched Sip 'n Sculpt to bring a fun and relaxing creative outlet to neighborhood bars and restaurants. Answering to student and customer demand for accessible and affordable art materials, she founded Sticky Fingers Art Supply Co. in March of 2017 to promote high quality art supplies for a steal of a price.
Her writing is published in Home Educators Resource Directory and the #besomebody. blog. Jennifer’s paper creds include: B.F.A. in Drawing, M.Ed., S.B.L Certification.
Feel free to email any questions or comments to info@creativespacearts.com, or visit my website at http://www.stickyfingersartsupply.com/. I aim to create an open exchange of ideas and best practices.
References:
https://www.pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=claudio%20jimenez&rs=typed&term_meta[]=claudio%7Ctyped&term_meta[]=jimenez%7Ctyped
https://www.folkartalliance.org/artist/claudio-jimenez-quispe/
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/269301252697677007/
https://blog.ooly.com/dia-de-los-muertos-day-dead-sugar-skull-craft-ideas/
Free download:
https://cdn2.bigcommerce.com/n-zfvgw8/0mm7mv5/product_images/uploaded_images/skull-coloring-page.jpeg?t=1476997242
Last October, I posted an article exploring Halloween, and all the fun things that parents can create with their children during this spooky-fun time of year. Although Halloween is so much a part of American culture, there is another holiday that begins at midnight on October 31st every year. This national Mexican holiday celebrates death as something that should not be feared. Rather, Day of the Dead, or Dia de los Muertos, welcomes the departed spirits back home on this night.
Inspiration:
Peru. The mountains. The art. Ancestors. An art gallery in the heart of Lima showing the work of Claudio Jimenez, Peruvian retablo maker who often creates his sculptures with a Day of the Dead theme. I remember the inspiration his work gave me when I first saw the dancing skeletons playing musical instruments. Death is practically taboo in our culture, yet a life well-lived is celebrated abroad. This shift in perspective was the inspiration for creating lessons and art around this fascinating holiday.
Focus: Dia de los Muertos
Mess Factor: Moderate
Ages: Can be modified for ages 0-18 years
Objectives: Younger kids can create sugar skull popsicle stick masks, while older kids can make sugar skull paintings that honor a role model or loved one. They can incorporate symbolism with paint or collage.
*Although this subject matter is not the easiest one to discuss with children of any age, let alone young children, no one knows your child’s readiness for such conversations better than you. Feel free to modify this project as needed if it is too scary or too upsetting to your child. No tears!
Suggested Materials:
Babies, toddlers, and younger kids: Sugar skull popsicle stick mask
• Popsicle stick
• Skull template or free downloadable sugar skull design from sites like Pinterest
• Scissors
• Glue
• Adornments (beads, sparkles, etc.)
Younger children can create masks using free downloadable templates (see link below).
Print out a template on thicker paper, or use 2 sheets of regular paper for front and back. Cut it out, color it, and decorate it with different adornments. Household items like buttons, fabrics, and beads work well. Attach with glue to a popsicle stick, sandwiching the stick in the middle of the 2 papers.
• Watercolors
• Sharpies
• Oak tag
• Reference images
• Pencils
Discuss the meaning of Dia de los Muertos and look at different images. Students can pick out the symbolism in each one and determine the meaning. Experiment with a variety of symbols to sketch designs for the final piece.
Demonstrate how to draw sugar skulls using the parentheses method: First, draw two large parentheses on the paper. Next, connect the parentheses on the top and bottom to make a circle. Draw a “U” shape under the circle for the chin. On the bottom of the original circle, draw vertical lines through for the teeth. Draw an upside-down heart for the nose. Put large hearts or flowers or circles for the eye sockets. Add symbolism and additional flowers to the composition.
Outline in sharpie, then paint with watercolors. Add collage elements or any embellishments to enhance the image.
(TIP: Always check for the ASTM d-4236 standard and ACMI AP seal, which should be on all art materials given to children. Materials are like ingredients. Many things can be substituted for what you have on hand.)
Jennifer Barrett is the Arts Liaison, Data Specialist, and Performing Arts Coordinator at a public junior high school in Brooklyn. She has taught visual arts there since 2002. During this time, she has guided countless students through the rigorous audition process of portfolio development, with many gaining acceptance into some of NYC’s most prestigious art schools. She founded Creative Space Arts in 2014 to offer a different kind of all-ages art studio, always changing and inspired by the immersive environment of galleries and other creative spaces. In the spring of 2016, she launched Sip 'n Sculpt to bring a fun and relaxing creative outlet to neighborhood bars and restaurants. Answering to student and customer demand for accessible and affordable art materials, she founded Sticky Fingers Art Supply Co. in March of 2017 to promote high quality art supplies for a steal of a price.
Her writing is published in Home Educators Resource Directory and the #besomebody. blog. Jennifer’s paper creds include: B.F.A. in Drawing, M.Ed., S.B.L Certification.
Feel free to email any questions or comments to info@creativespacearts.com, or visit my website at http://www.stickyfingersartsupply.com/. I aim to create an open exchange of ideas and best practices.
References:
https://www.pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=claudio%20jimenez&rs=typed&term_meta[]=claudio%7Ctyped&term_meta[]=jimenez%7Ctyped
https://www.folkartalliance.org/artist/claudio-jimenez-quispe/
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/269301252697677007/
https://blog.ooly.com/dia-de-los-muertos-day-dead-sugar-skull-craft-ideas/
Free download:
https://cdn2.bigcommerce.com/n-zfvgw8/0mm7mv5/product_images/uploaded_images/skull-coloring-page.jpeg?t=1476997242
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