Los Hermanos Familia, a nonprofit organization committed to bringing families together, will host the West Texas Latino Artist Exhibit & Día De Los Muertos Celebración event, Sunday, Nov. 6th from 12:30 to 6 p.m., at the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center Exhibit Hall. The event will showcase the work of Latino artist, offer a cultural experience through local performers – traditional and modern; hold a unique Día de Los Muertos cake decorating contest; showcase a lowrider and classic cars best decorated contest; showcase altars honoring those that have passed; connect participants to vendors; as well as provide children’s activities that offer cultural understanding. More so, the event is designed to draw community together.
Various artists with different art mediums will display their art including: graffiti art by Joey “Wiseone” Martinez, a local artist that was commissioned to paint the Graffiti Building at LHUCA. Erik Matthew Garza, will showcase sculptures using traditional boots and pesos; Kelly Martinez, paintings and drawing; Twisted Roxy will feature work on canvas; Marisol Vasquez bottle art; and Luis Estrada, sketching and paintings, are among the artists that will showcase their unique art and mediums. In addition, area students will showcase their artwork in the children’s area.
Seven bakers will participate in the annual cake-off that will be judged on cakes including three iconic symbols related to Día de Los Muertos: Sugar skulls, Marigold Flower, Monarch Butterfly, as well as other options including Papel Picado, Pan de Muerto, and the zarape. Judging will be held at 3:30 p.m., and then the cakes will be served following 2016 Cake Participants Include:
Cindy Bell – Cakes by Cindy, Lubbock, TX
James Brush – Lubbock, Texas
Felicia Garcia – OooLala Sweet Cakes, Lubbock, TX
Chelsea Garcia – Deesy Design, Lubbock, TX
Jennifer Cisneros, Lubbock, TX
Vince Rodriguez , Lubbock, TX
Jenal Murillo – NellaBella Cakes, Lubbock, TX
The Children’s Area will include projects led by the De Colores Girl Scout Troop, along with student organizations. Projects that can be made for free by the children will include papel picado, flores de papel (paper flower making), sugar skull decorating, mask decorating, and Ojo de Dios crosses.
A variety of altars/ofrendas will be prepared by adults and families, as well as college student organizations, the De Colores Girl Scouts – Barbie display; as well as from students from Ralls ISD, Harwell Elementary, and Christ the King.
The Art on Wheels area will showcase cars decorated with Día de Los Muertos decor. This year, the popular lotería Mexican bingo game will be a featured section.
Participating individuals will have a chance to win a commemorative Coca Cola Día de Los Muertos product developed locally for a national campaign.
Live entertainment by various performers cultural, traditional such as ballet folklorico groups, mariachis, and bands and individual performers playing various types of music genres will also be a part of the celebration.
The entertainment schedule includes:
12:30/12:35 p.m. – Intro/Ballet Folklorico Fiesta del Sol
1/1:05 p.m. – Intro/Girl Scout Presentation; followed by Intro/Gavino Reyes
1:30/1:35 p.m. – Intro/Ballet Folklorico Nuestra Herencia
2/2:05 p.m. – Intro/D. J. Sancho
2:30/2:35 p.m. – Intro/Mariachi Estrella
3/3:05 p.m. – Intro/Lubbock High Ballet Folklorico
3:30/3:35 p.m. – Intro/Introduction & Announcement of Cake Decorators
4/4:05 p.m. – Intro/Ballet Folklorico Nuestra Herencia
4:30/4:35 p.m. – Intro/Ballet Folklorico Fiesta del Sol
5/5:20 p.m. – Introduction & Announcement of Cars
5:25 p.m. – Intro/D. J. Sancho
5:55 p.m. – Closing Remarks
The event is sponsored by Latino Lubbock Magazine, Matador Motors, Lonestar Decorators, and the Division of Institutional Diversity, Equity & Community Engagement; as well as in-kind sponsors Magic 106.5, Power 104.3, and 104.9 the Beat. With a special grant from Civic Lubbock.
Vendors will have face painting, as well as company information and products. Nursing students will be providing blood pressure checks and health info.
Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for children. Or, if participants come in Día De Los Muertos costume or with face painted, cost is $3 for adults, and $1 for children.
(News release from Los Hermanos Familia)
