Cultural workshops are planned as part of the tenth annual Clarendon Arts Festival will be held this Saturday and Sunday, October 27 and 28, at the Donley County Activity Center, and this year.
Organizers have been working all week setting up displays and taking entries for the festival, which will also feature Junior Art exhibits by students from Kindergarten through high school.
The event, sponsored by Clarendon’s Les Beaux Arts Club, opens to the public this Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Amarillo artist D. Maldonado will host a special workshop Saturday as she shares a part of her yearly Dia de Los Muertos series and Mexican folk art craft projects.
Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is not a Mexican version of Halloween. Though related, the two annual events differ greatly in traditions and tone. Whereas Halloween is a dark night of terror and mischief, Day of the Dead festivities unfold over two days in an explosion of color and life-affirming joy. Sure, the theme is death, but the point is to demonstrate love and respect for deceased family members.
In towns and cities throughout Mexico, revelers don funky makeup and costumes, hold parades and parties, sing and dance, and make offerings to lost loved ones. This vibrant homage to life is a true community event and one of the most charming and colorful holidays celebrated by Mexican and Latin American cultures. This lighthearted and joyful tribute honors the memory of family and friends who have passed away in a fun and immersive atmosphere.
There will be two workshops hosted throughout the day on Saturday.
A Mexican Bingo “Loteria” Matchbox Magnets workshops will be at 9:30 a.m., 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. – These small matchbox magnets are fun, functional, unique, and colorful. In this workshop you will make two Matchbox Magnets from the images of a Loteria/Mexican Bingo game card. Space is limited so be sure to secure your spot early.
A Paper Mache Sugar Skull Workshop will also be held Saturday. The iconic sugar skull associated with Day of the Dead is liked for many reasons; some aesthetically and some for the cultural aspect of what the skull represents within the Dia de los Muertos Holiday. Calaveritas de azucar, or sugar skulls, along with toys, are left on the graves for children who have passed. The skull is used not as morbid symbol but rather as a whimsical reminder of the cyclicality of life, which is why they are brightly decorated.
The sugar represents the sweetness of life and the skull represents death. In this workshop you will paint and decorate a 3D paper mache skull as artist D. Maldonado guides you and explains how to customize your skull. The Sugar Skull painting workshop is 10:30 a.m. and the only one like it offered. Again, space is limited so be sure to sign up and reserve your spot early.
The VFW Auxiliary will provide concessions during the day Saturday as well as stew and chili with cornbread for lunch.
Saturday evening the Preferred Buyers Reception will be held from 6:00 to 9:00, where buyers will be delighted with the variety being offered at the Clarendon Arts Festival this year. Anyone is welcome at the reception; and if you haven’t already pre-paid as a preferred buyer, you can pay that night at the door.
Along with the large selection of art being offered, buyers enjoy the heavy hors d’oeuvres prepared by the ladies of Les Beaux Arts Club.
The Arts Festival resumes Sunday at 11 a.m. and runs until 4 p.m. Those attending the Sunday can enjoy St. Mary’s famous Annual Enchilada Dinner.
In addition to the art show, there are many artists setting up booths with hand-constructed items for sale.
For exhibit guidelines or other arts festival information, contact Chriss Cummins-Clifford at 806-206-6767.
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