CVCAG: 2012

Michael Schnorr Day of the Dead Memorial Event took place at Southwestern College on 11/1/12 at the Student Art Gallery.
Marisol Rendon, artist Berenice Badillo and Chula Vista Community Arts Group collaborated on this very special event. The event was focused around and art exhibit of Michael Schnorr's work and featured a Day of the Dead altar. Mr. Schnorr's family was present and many friends and students came to pay tribute to him.

M. Schnorr's Family

Day of the Dead Altar

Path for the spirits

Day of the Dead altars are built during Dia de los Muertos to honor and celebrate people who have passed. The 1^st of November remembers the children who passed and November 2^nd focuses on the adults. The belief behind Day of the Dead practices is that spirits return to the earth to visit their loved ones. The spirits are greeted with offerings of food and things that the person enjoyed in life. It is believed that the spirits consume the essence and the aroma of the foods that are offered. When the spirits depart, the living consume the food and share it with their family, friends and neighbors.

The altars tend to be elaborate because it is believed that if they honor their departed loved ones they will bring blessing and good luck for the following year. The items are laid out on a multi-level altar in the family home. Items that are placed on the altar include sugar skulls, often with the person's name inscribed on the top, pan de muertos, a special bread that is made especially for the season, and cempasuchil (marigolds) which bloom at this time of year and lend a special fragrance to the altar. Below are traditional items that are essential in every altar.

Photos: Picture of deceased loved ones are placed in the altar to honor them.

Food: Prepared to celebrate and welcome the spirits arrival.

Water: signifies a “cenote” which draws on the pre-hispanic belief that the cenote is the door to the underworld.

Dog: accompanies the deceased on their journey and protects them.

Copal (incense): purifies the environment and protects it from negative entities.

Candles: light the way for the visiting spirits.

Salt: purifies the environment and protects the spirits

Sugar skulls: represent spirits of the departed or are used to represent the living family members and remind them of their own mortality

Three levels of altar: They represent the underworld (world of spirits), the living world and heaven.

Bread: signifies the generosity of the host.

Papel Picado: signifies that it is a celebration, it also consider to signify the unity of life and death.

Marigolds: the scent guides the spirits towards the altar.