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SCARSDALE, N.Y. A merging of Spanish art classes at Fox Meadow School gave some fourth-graders some insight into a different culture, and a new take on death.
Sara Faranda's art class created sugar skulls, traditional items used in the Mexico's celebration of Dios de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead.
Families and friends come together Nov. 1 and 2 in Mexico to honor loved ones who have died. They often build shrines consisting of sugar skulls, marigolds, and the favorite foods and beverages of the departed. The celebration is timed in connection with the Catholic holidays All Saints' Day (Nov. 1) and All Souls' Day (Nov. 2).
At Fox Meadow, Faranda teamed with Spanish teach Alyssa Coleman to add depth to the Day of the Dead lesson. "This is the first time I've ever done this project," said Faranda, who added Mexican music in the background for inspiration. "I love teaching different cultures."
Faranda had the pupils gather around a table where the skulls were displayed to discuss the project. "You could choose how hard you were going to make it," said Peter Wenger. "If you made it simpler, it was very, very easy. If you made it more complex, it was more difficult."
Kevin Walker pointed out what he learned about the use of color. "They need to be symmetrical," he said. "So if you used red here, you had to use it again on the other side."
The ornate skulls are made from sugar in Mexico. In Faranda's class, they used Model Magic, an air-dried clay, along with sequins, gems and puffy paint."
"I learned that it was very, very fun," said Olivia Otsuka. "We learned about Day of the Dead, that it's not a sad holiday. It's actually a happy holiday."
Faranda said the project "exposes them to things they may not have been exposed to before. It enriches the lesson that much more."
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