9th Annual Downey Día de los Muertos Art Festival
On Saturday, October 29, 2022, we had the opportunity to host a booth at the 9th Annual Downey Día de los Muertos Art Festival, presented by the Downey Theatre and the City of Downey. The event welcomed thousands of visitors and featured live music and dance, art exhibitions, community alters, and local vendors. Back again by popular demand, we facilitated a free watercolor workshop in collaboration with our good friend and local watercolor artist, Polaris Castillo, featuring new original designs in celebration of the holiday’s Aztec roots and origin.
Participants used their watercolors to decorate original masks and paintings of Mictēcacihuātl and Mictlāntēcutli, known in Aztec mythology as the Lady of the Dead and Lord of the Underworld.
The origin of Día de los Muertos dates back over 3,000 years. The ancient tradition of honoring the deaths of ancestors was celebrated for the entire ninth month of the Aztec calendar, dedicated to the goddess Mictēcacihuātl, who ruled the underworld alongside her husband Mictlāntēcutli. Deceased family members and ancestors were honored through offerings of food, tools, and meaningful objects to assure safe passage into the underworld and to allow their memories to live on.
Throughout the day, we distributed over 400 free watercolor sets to children, families, and community members. It was wonderful having the opportunity to explore the history and culture of Día de los Muertos with our community through art and creativity. A big thank you to the Downey Theatre for inviting us to host this workshop – we look forward to next year!
Photos by Gabriel Enamorado.
