Expressing History and Culture Through Student Artwork

three colorful sugar skulls created by students over a black backdropthree colorful sugar skulls over a black backgroundAfter sixth graders learned about “Dia de los Muertos,” they participated in classroom festivities and connected art with culture as they created their own masterpieces.

Dia de los Muertos, aka Day of the Dead, is a Mexican tradition that is celebrated around the world on the first two days of November. The intent of the holiday is to honor the lives of friends and family who have passed away. In art class, students were introduced to sugar skulls that were decorated by children and adults to respect the holiday. Students got creative by successfully designing their own symmetrical and colorfully patterned wearable skulls.