Dia de la Muertos in Encinitas

By Patricia Frischer

In partnership with the City of Encinitas Arts Division, Encinitas Friends of the Arts will be celebrating its third annual Dia de la Muertos on Sat. Oct 29, at the Encinitas Community Center ( 1140 Oakcrest Park Drive, off Balour, Encinitas) from 12-4 pm. This free family event will foster an appreciation and awareness of this significant Latino cultural celebration while uniting people of all backgrounds and traditions. More info: Naimeh Tanha Woodward  760-298-1708 

This year I was one of the official face painters for the four hours of this lovely event. I was stationed next to all the music and dancing, but to paint a face every 15 minutes takes total concentration so I missed most of the action at the event even though I was in the middle of it. Here are some of the 17 faces I completed. 

Artist at work, photo by Lois Sunrich

The Por Siempre Car Club of San Diego hosted an exhibit where club members displayed their classic cars with ofrendas created in their trunks in honor of family members. Manual Navarro, a member of the family based club, explained the significance of Día De Los Muertos to the Mexican community.


“This is an old Mexican tradition, that the families used to go on Nov. 2 to bring their loved ones food, flowers, candles, the things they used to love to eat, or wear, or do, to their gravesite,” Navarro said. “But since our ancestors are 2,000 to 3,000 miles away, we celebrate them here.”


The back of his 1948 black Dodge was adorned with photographs of his grandfather and namesake, Manuel, and his grandmother, Maria, bedecked by masses of flowers. Flowers, especially marigolds, are central to the celebration because it is believed their scent helps guide back the souls of loved ones.

He explained that nine years ago, his wife, Cedma, thought of putting ofrendas in the trunks of their show cars for an event at Mission San Luis Rey de Francia, in Oceanside.
“The trend of putting an ofrenda in the trunk of a car has spread everywhere since then,” Navarro said.

Navarro also noted that Nov. 1 is All Souls Day — in his culture, traditionally known as the Day of the Little Angels or Day of the Innocents, when the souls of departed children are celebrated. The following day is Day of the Dead, when adult departed relatives are honored. The common references to All Souls Day and All Saints Day occur because the Mexican Día de los Muertos was combined into Catholic celebrations after the Spaniards came to Mexico.

Beatriz Villarreal, Emcee Beatriz has been part of the DIa de los Muertos festival from the very beginning. She will be our Emcee, speaking in English and Spanish, and will keep the celebration going strong all day! Look for members of the committee dressed as Catrina's--ideal for selfie photos! Opportunity Drawings When you arrive, get your free ticket for the four Opportunity Drawings. We will give away 2 Acer computer tablets, gift certificates to Walmart, Pannikin, Starbucks, attractions and restaurants, 15 gift baskets, and more! Danza Azteca Fuego The Day of the Dead celebration begins with ancient dances to bless the Ofrenda. They will perform at 12:00pm.  Enjoy continuous performances from 12:00-4:00pm on stage in the Community Center Auditorium Ballet Folklorico el Tapatio See them perform at 12:30pm. Info Ballet Folklorico de San Dieguito See them perform at 12:45pm. Info Mariachi Juvenil de San Diego See them perform at 1:10pm and at 2:20pm. Info Ballet Folklorico Rancho Buena Vista See them perform at 1:40pm. Info Grupo Folklorico Tapatio de Oceanside See them perform at 2:50pm. Info

Mariachi Real de San Diego

Grand Finale: see them perform a tribute to Juan Gabriel at 3:30pm. They have been the top-rated Mariachi in San Diego since 1978 and perform regularly for the Chargers.  Info

Por Siempre Car Club

Ten beautifully restored low-rider cars will be on view with a Day of the Dead Ofrenda in each one. Info

Day of the Dead Art Exhibit

Check out the outstanding 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional artwork by the students of Paul Ecke Central School, Becky Kay, Instructor.

Face Painting

Transform your face into a traditional sugar skull. Show your spirit with this dramatic and attention grabbing look. 32 face painting stations will be available--select the one you want.  Half-face, simple design, is free of charge.  Half-face, fancy design with embellishments, is $5.

Calavera de Azúcar / Sugar Skulls

Learn how to decorate your own calavera de azúcar, or sugar skull, using tubes of colored icing and embellishments.

Papel Flores / Tissue Flowers

Mexican paper flowers. This tradition utilizes tissue paper cut with scissors and folded into beautiful flowers.

Artist Demonstrations

Watch three outstanding visual artists, BB Bastidas, Luis Murguia and Oscar Fernandez, create Day of the Dead art at the celebration. Their artwork will on view and for purchase.

Surfing Madonna Community Ofrenda

Honor the memory of a loved one or a friend by contributing a photo or a non-valuable remembrance to the Ofrenda.  A second Ofrenda, at the Encinitas Library, will be on view from Oct. 28-Nov. 3.

Authentic Mexican Food

Enjoy delicious Mexican food prepared by Tacos el Rorro and El Panchitos, along with Pan de Muerto, horchata, bottled water and dessert. All available at affordable prices.

Encinitas Library Day of the Dead

Check out the Community Ofrenda, Day of the Dead student art exhibit and Family Altars at the Encinitas Library, from October 28 through November 3.  Families can make their own altar, sign up at the Reservation Desk at the library. Honor the memory of a loved one or a friend by contributing a photo or a non-valuable remembrance to the Ofrenda.  Encinitas Library, 540 Cornish Drive. 760-753-7376. Info

Fallbrook Show and Tell for NCAN, Refugee at Leichtag, Mesa College Collects

By Patricia Frischer

Fallbrook Arts Inc. invites North County Arts Network Members for “An Arts Day in Fallbrook” on Saturday, October 22, 2016

Breakfast & networking - Fallbrook School of the Arts, 310 E. Alvarado St., Fallbrook
Tour of School / Foundry / Demonstrations/Veterans” Sculpture Bronze Pour“
Galaxy of Glass Show”, Fallbrook Art Center, 103 S. Main Ave. (an easy walk from the

 Fallbrook’s Library, “Latino Art Show Madrecitos” 124 S. Mission Rd. (near the Art Center)

The members of NCAN had a very full day laid on by  Fallbrook Arts Incorporated and arranged by Jerri Patchette and the staff and board. Mary Perhacs spoke to use about the Fallbrook Art Center and led a tour of this large art school with five main buildings. A delicious breakfast was served and we had time to roam  the historic unincorporated city. The most impressive thing was the high energy and dedication of everyone we met. 
I personally enjoyed the demonstration by Dixon in the  print rooms, the Chinese brush painting class, a super stone and wood facility and the amazing pour by the Vet Art group of hot bronze.
The school has classes in ceramics, printmaking, painting, drawing, jewelry, fabric arts, sculpture including stone, wood, metal and glass. In fact they will soon be installing a new glass furnace.  

The Fallbrook Art Center holds the Galaxy of Glass, World of Watercolor (Jan) Wildlife Art (Feb), and Reflections of Nature (May) shows every year. Also coming up are a Art of the Holiday sale and Art of Sport show in April. 

A small group had lunch at Cafe Artists and continued the afternoon with a visit to the stunning mountain top home of Julia Rasor and amazing library with art by Michael Stutz and Betsy Schulz.  Katherine Mitchell impressed me in the Galaxy of Glass show at the Art Center. 

Wendell Perry's fabulous metal fence surrounds the campus and is made with donated objects from the community that are wonderfully incorporated into the structure. 

This round turret shaped studio is one of a few occupied  by individual artists on the campus

A back view of three of the buildings

The wood and stone sculpture labs

A photo op for all those that attended the special breakfast for NCAN members

Raffael Lomas (part of the show at the Leichtag Foundation below) working a sand casting while we waited

Brandon Roy is Director of the California Sculpture Academy and Steve Dilley and the VetArt instructors . Pictured are Marilyn Huerta and  Daniel Foster of NCAN, 

Kevin Larson, one of the Vet Artists and also assistant on the day of the pour, made this wonderful self portrait caste in bronze. 

Ann Mudge, Darwin Slindee, Patricia Frischer and Julia Rasor

Kira Corser, art activist and co-founder of the Post for Peace and Justice project that is now nation wide.

Michael Stutz gates are only one of three sets of gates at the Fallbrook Library. The other two are by James Hubbell and Peter Mitten

Mural at the entrance of the Fallbrook Library by Betsy Schulz with mosaics

There was more mosaics murals by Betsy Schulz in the garden reading room of the library

I particularly like this quote. We do not inherit the earth  from our ancestors, we barrow it from our children. 

Brandon GalleryAt the Brandon Gallery, founded in 1977, there was a special show by the Fallbrook Art Association as well as work on view by their own 30 coop members. Fallbrook Art Center also has a Guild of Artists members. That is a lot of art associations for a small town. Plus, the Fallbrook Arts, Inc is also responsible for Art In Public Places for advocacy for arts education and public art and the Fallbrook Arts Alliance, a networking and collaboration group.

Sculptor and TED Fellow, Raffael Lomas and Encinitas Friends of the Arts, held an informal talk and a tour of the Refugee Artist Residence space which currently supports and mentors 3 creative individuals at the Coastal Roots Farm, part of the Leichtag Foundation in Encinitas This project aims to improve the lives of the refugees living in San Diego County and to explore new ways to approach the current crisis. 

The most beautiful message from this evening was a way to think about refugee as assets in our communities instead of burdens. This is a fundamental basis for valuing our immigrant  population and always has been and should continue. One quote I particularly liked from Raffael was to think of this project as a drop of water for healing in the universe, but a very oxygen rich drop of water. 

Raffael Lomas with technical assistance from Abdullah Taysan 

Adeeb Maki and wonderful ceramic suitcases

8000 paper clip project Raffael Lomas. The film by Nitsam Tal told the story of this project where paperclip were used as a symbol to connect student refugees to other students in the Sudan who needed their help. The thin silver streaks you see in this image are all strings of paperclips.  

Lovcely view of the grounds of Leichtage with the setting sune and some star approval. 

Why We Collect: the 20th Century...(An art history survey with original works) Curated by Kraig Cavanaugh. Exhibit on view October 13 - November 8. Panel discussion on collecting with artists and collectors Debby and Larry Kline at Mesa College Art Gallery

Kraig Cavenaugh, with Larry Kline and Debbie Kline

Matisse

Picasso

Check out the video where Dia Bassett interviews Kraig Cavanaugh on collecting!
 

 “Why We Collect: the 20th-Century…” is an exhibition which sprang from the collection the Mesa College arts history professional compiled for his own enjoyment and to help his students see real works of original art. He supplemented his own collection with those from friends and colleagues most with "modest incomes who may have scarified something to acquire them."

Works in the exhibition illustrate Cubism, Dada, the Bauhaus, Surrealism, Abstract Expressionism, Neo-Dada, Op, Pop, Zero, Minimalism up to and including the 1990's.

 Kraig Cavanaugh  talks about the shows inspiration and then the panel continues with questions answered from  Debby and Larry Kline and the audience about the what, why and how of collecting.  You can get lots of the same information by checking out the SmART Collector feature on SDVAN. 

 Alessandra Moctezuma,  as usual, was the gallery director for the show which was installed by her students very, very carefully. It is rare for students to see works by these important artist on campus.