COD Hosts Day of the Dead Art Event Oct. 17 at Wings Gallery

Students, staff and community members are invited to learn more about the symbolism behind Day of the Dead observances at an altar-making workshop led by College of DuPage Art Professor Jennifer Hereth from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, at the Wings Gallery in the Student Services Center, Room 2210, at the Glen Ellyn campus, 425 Fawell Blvd.

The event, which is free and open to the public and suitable for all ages, coincides with "Homenaje/Homage," an exhibition of works by COD graduate, painter and local tattoo artist Daniel Ponce.

Ponce's 20-foot painting inspired by famed Mexican artist Frida Kahlo will anchor activities as participants build an altar at its base. Hereth will lead in the creation of the altar, explaining characteristic items and their significance. Participants also may create a sacred bundle as a tribute to one of their ancestors

"A fellow art faculty member at Waubonsee Community College inspired me to organize this workshop after attending a discussion I gave on the Day of the Dead at The Art Institute of Chicago," said Hereth, who lived in Mexico for four years and previously taught the Mexico program for The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. "Given the lack of these types of Day of the Dead activities in the western suburbs, we hope to expose a greater audience to this vibrant culture."

All materials will be supplied for the day's events, which includes skull cookie decorating courtesy of COD Culinary student John Jay. For more information, contact Hereth at (630) 942-2057, or hereth@cod.edu.