The San Antonio College community is celebrating Dia de Los Muertos November 1-2, with a series of workshops, a memorial service, a jazz funeral, and talks.  Dia de Los Muertos altars, made by the Art Guild, are placed throughout the campus. 

All events are free and open to the public and unless otherwise noted will be held in the Visual Arts & Technologies Department, Room 120, at San Antonio College, 1300 San Pedro Ave.  Sponsors include the San Antonio College Art Guild, Mortuary Science Club, Office of Student Life, Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center, and the Catholic Student Center.  

Only the workshops have limited seating of 30.  To register for the workshops or for more information, contact Francisco Solis, Assistant Professor of Mortuary Science, at 733-2036 or fsolis@accd.edu.

Thursday, November 1:
9 a.m. - Sugar Skulls / Pan Muerto (Workshop), by Yolanda Mendes, Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center:  Learn the history of creating the sugar skulls and the symbolism behind the traditional shapes of bread.  

10 a.m. - Papel Picado (Workshop), by Yolanda Mendes, Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center:  Learn how to create a Dia de Los Muertos altar using tissue paper.

11 a.m. - La Ofrenda (Workshop), by Yolanda Mendes, Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center:  Learn how to create altars, either simple or elaborate, in memory of a deceased loved one.  Objects are placed on the altar that gave pleasure to the departed person in life.

Noon - Remembering Our Own, by Joseph Liedecke, Director of Catholic Student Center:  A Memorial Service for recently departed members of the San Antonio College family.  Please bring a framed picture of anyone you would like to honor.

1 p.m. - Origin of Dia de Los Muertos, by Professor Richard Arredondo, Chairperson of Visual Arts & Technology, at the SAC Catholic Student Center (corner of Belknap and Courtland Pl.):  Learn how to build and design an altar, slide show, free door prizes to everyone who attends, free pan de muerto.  Students are invited to bring photos of loved ones to put on the altar. 

Friday, November 2:
9 a.m. - A Jazz Funeral:  A film of a jazz funeral and all of its traditions

10 a.m. - Planning Your Own Funeral, by Professor Jose Moreno, Mortuary Science:  Learn about planning your own funeral., including choices, costs, and laws concerning funeral planning.

11 a.m. - Death in the Mexican-American Culture, by Professor Yvonne Lozano, Sociology.