36th Annual Dia de los Muertos Commemorative Print and exhibition curator will be esteemed artist, Diane Gamboa! Limited Edition Print on sale at event!

Day of the dead - Saturday Community Workshops
Self Help Graphics & Art is pleased to offer the following Dia de los Muertos
workshops in October 2009. These community workshops for the WHOLE
familia are free, and take place 4 Saturdays in October----starting right at 1p.m
and ending PROMPTLY at 3p.m each time. All materials and teachers are
provided by Self Help Graphics & Art! Please be on time, wear clothes that are
not too precious, enjoy a Saturday afternoon of fun & tradition with new friends
and old ones too.


OCTOBER 3, OCTOBER 10, OCTOBER 17 & OCTOBER 24, 2009
Flores de Papel/ Paper Flower Making , 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Come learn the tradition of creating handcrafted paper flowers with Master Altar Maker,
Ofelia Esparza and the Esparza Family. Many of the flowers you create will be used for
the community altar which is one of the yearly traditions at Self Help Graphic's
Dia De Los Muertos Celebration each November 2. There will be paper flowers to take
home too. You can make small and big flowers of multiple colors. This workshop is
open to all ages. No experience is necessary.

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OCTOBER 3, OCTOBER 10, OCTOBER 17 & OCTOBER 24, 2009
Paper Mache Mask, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Learn to create your very own calavera mask with artist, Dewey Tafoya. Dewey made plaster forms for you to build your paper mask on, which makes the classic Paper Mache calaca-look easy to achieve. Create your mask on one Saturday, let it dry for a week, then come back the following Saturday to paint and glitter it! Making masks is a two-part process, be sure to make time in your schedule for 2 Saturdays. Small kids will need help with mask making---they should bring a parent, older sister or brother to assist them. ---------------------------------------------------------------------

OCTOBER 3, OCTOBER 10, OCTOBER 17 & OCTOBER 24, 2009
Dia De Los Muertos Mascara Decorating 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Join crafter, Becky Cortez to decorate a one-dimensional, calaca mascara (mask) created by a SHG artist and printed on card stock. This workshop is challenging for young and old, because there are different materials for you to select from for personalizing your mascara. They each come out beautifully unique! We encourage you to wear the mascara you created and decorated to Self Help Graphic's Dia de los Muertos procession on November 2!

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OCTOBER 3 & OCTOBER 24, 2009
Papel Picado 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

A guest artist will teach the basics of papel picado using some simple cutting techniques and a template. Create traditional Day of the Dead designed cut-outs that you can use to display as panels and banners. This papel picado workshop is best suited to students who can use scissors and can follow a template. Some of these paper picado panels will be displayed as part of the community altar at Self Help Graphic's Annual Dia de los Muertos Celebration, some will be for your Dia de los Muertos altar at home too. Parents are encouraged to attend classes with their child.

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OCTOBER 10 & OCTOBER 17, 2009
Papel Picado 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Papel Picado goddess, Margaret Sosa is teaching this session---don't miss out! Learn the basics of papel picado with some simple cutting techniques and the use of a template. Create traditional Day of the Dead designed cut-outs that you can use to display as panels and banners. This papel picado workshop is best suited to students who can use scissors and can follow a template. Some of these paper picado panels will be displayed as part of the community altar at Self Help Graphic's Annual Dia de los Muertos Celebration, some will be for your Dia de los Muertos altar at home too. Parents are encouraged to attend classes with their child.

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OCTOBER 10, OCTOBER 17 & OCTOBER 24, 2009
Luminarias 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Come to the world premiere of Theresa Hernandez's Day of the Dead themed luminaria making workshop. With simple materials, paints and calaca inspired decor, create a beautiful hand-made luminaria that you can prominently place at your home for beckoning los espiritos. Luminarias are made from paper bags, weighted down with sand and are illuminated from within by a lit candle and traditionally line walk ways and paths. More recently, they are becoming a traditional addition to a Day of Dead altar for guiding the spirits to the treats that await them. Theresa Hernandez is a long time Self Help Graphics' artist with an extensive background in printing. This is a fun and easy craft for all ages.