Exhibits to Celebrate Día de los Muertos September 15, 2008

Lakewood Opens Three New Exhibits to Celebrate

Día de los Muertos

“Day of the Dead celebrates the intimate, continuing relationship between the living and the dead. Like the celebration of a birthday, it reconfirms annually the love, goodwill, and generosity that the beloved can count on, no matter that they are dead.” - Juanita Garciagodoy

The Lakewood Cultural Center is proud to present its 5th Annual Dia de los Muertos celebration, including three art exhibits. This year’s theme for the all-media juried exhibition is Dancing with the Dead. All three shows, including an intimate view of traditions and customs related to the Day of the Dead celebrations and a pottery exhibit featuring cremation urns will run from September 15 to October 31, 2008 at the Lakewood Cultural Center, 470 S. Allison Parkway, and the Lakewood Civic Center South Building, 480 S. Allison Parkway. The public is invited to the join the festivities at a reception on Wednesday, Oct 28 from 5 p.m. to 7p.m. at the Lakewood Cultural Center.

The Hispanic tradition of Día de los Muertos is a three-day festival that honors the lives of deceased family members with celebratory rituals. Filled with flowers, altars, traditional meals and sugary confections, Día de los Muertos is a time for reflection and jubilation.

DIA DE LOS MUERTOS EXHIBITS

To celebrate Dia de los Muertos or Day of the Dead, local artist Carlos Fresquez, will present an intimate view of traditions and customs related to the Day of the Dead celebrations, in an installation at the North Gallery of the Lakewood Cultural Center, 470 S. Allison Parkway, in Lakewood.

Carlos Fresquez has exhibited his drawings, prints, installations and paintings in at least 25 U.S. states and in eight different countries. Carlos has lectured about Chicano Art history and his own artwork at many colleges, universities, galleries and art centers. “I have always tended to work in a grouping or in a series. My art is a body of work that combines our past with the present. The duality of Chicanismo is truly what is most inspiring. I am inspired by the Picassos in the museums and the placas on the streets. The fusing of pop art with arte popular is what assists me to combine ‘isms’ (expressionism, etc.) with ‘ismos’ (carnalismo, etc.). Chicanismo allows us to accept our history but also gives us a new reality to deal with the present and the future.” Exhibit hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mon. – Fri.; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sat., Sept. 15-Oct. 31 (including during performances).

DANCING WITH THE DEAD –

The second exhibition is a show titled Dancing with the Dead, an all-media juried exhibition showcasing a $500 Best of Show purchase award, will be in the South Gallery of the Lakewood Civic Center, 480 S. Allison Parkway. Exhibit hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mon. – Fri., Sept. 15-Oct. 31.

REST IN BEAUTY -

Rest in Beauty the third exhibition will feature cremation urns by potter Sumi von Dassow. Von Dassow creates stoneware urns using several types of glazes and firing techniques, to fill a perceived need for beautiful and unique handmade urns with character. Sumi teaches pottery at the City of Lakewood's Washington Heights Art Center and is a columnist for Pottery Making Illustrated Magazine. Located in the Mezzanine Gallery of the Lakewood Cultural Center, 470 S. Allison Parkway, in Lakewood. Exhibit hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mon. – Fri.; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sat., Sept. 15-Oct. 31 (including during performances).

All three exhibits and the October 28 celebration are great family entertainment and a wonderful way in which we can increase our understanding of the traditions and culture of Mexico.

Call 303-987-7876 for more information.

The City of Lakewood's Heritage, Culture and the Arts Division provides experiential art, history and cultural programming through the Lakewood Cultural Center, Lakewood's Heritage Center and the Washington Heights Arts Center. The Division is funded in part by the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD) - Metro Denver's unique commitment to its nonprofit art, scientific and cultural institutions.