Rather than dark and spooky, experience a bright and colorful holiday this month at UA Little Rock’s temporary Day of the Dead exhibit.
The University of Arkansas at Little Rock unveiled its new Day of the Dead exhibit last week at the Ann Maners and Alex Pappas Gallery. You may recognize elements of the holiday from last year’s Pixar movie, “Coco,” and at this exhibit you can get a more sophisticated understanding of the holiday’s long history and deep meanings.
The exhibit is a partnership between UA Little Rock and the Consulate of Mexico.
Day of the Dead originated in Mexico and is celebrated between Oct. 31 and Nov. 2. The holiday is also celebrated in the United States with colorful calaveras (skulls) and calacas (skeletons). The exhibition’s altar was created by educator and artist Patricia Quilantán, the wife of Mexican Consul Rodolfo Quilantán Arenas, and consulate staff.
Junior and senior history students in Dr. Kristin Dutcher Mann’s Historian’s Craft class researched and wrote text panels for the exhibit as part of their coursework. They met with Patricia Quilantán, Assistant Gallery Director Nathan Larson, and College of Arts, Letters and Sciences Associate Dean Dr. Johanna Miller Lewis to learn more about the exhibit. The text panels display information about the holiday, the ofrenda (altar) and its components, the significance of skeletons and skulls, and the work of the Mexican Consulate.
“The students in this class learn to read, research, and write specifically for history, so we’re getting a great, practical learning experience in how to interpret an exhibit for the public,” Dutcher Mann said. “We’re excited to be a part of the ongoing collaborations between the Mexican Consulate and UA Little Rock.”
The exhibit will be on display now through Nov. 16. Admission is free and the gallery is open 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.