Dear Curiosity Journal,
It’s time to prepare the Mexican folk art for the Driftless Region’s Dia de Muertos Celebration! In so many ways, this is my favorite time of year. On Thursday, I had the pleasure of seeing the progress of Gaby’s alebrije sculptures and even got to add some paper to the chest and tail. These pieces are so impressive, and I can’t wait to see them on exhibit at the Wormfarm Institute Farm Art DTour. Gaby and I had so much fun going through all of the art in her house and storage unit to create a display for the Viroqua Chamber of Commerce Community Window on Main Street. Pulling pieces from boxes, we smile, laugh, and tell stories of our fond memories of creating art together over the last three years. In the evening, we gathered at the McIntosh Memorial Library, another collaborator who has helped us organize and given us support from the start of the celebration in 2021. Gaby taught a group of adults and youth how to make papel picado, a beautiful cut tissue paper, which will adorn the community ofrenda. On my way back to the farm, I transported countless paper mâché Catrinas, ofrenda items, pinatas, dresses, and other Mexican folk art which will be on exhibit for the celebration. I can’t express how much I have fallen in love with this time of year, with these art projects, with all of these beautiful people, and with this meaningful community celebration full of so much creativity, passion, generosity, and love. All are welcome, and we hope you will join us at Keewaydin Farms on Saturday, October 5th from 2 PM to 7 PM.
~Joy
