Dia de los Muertos - Day of the Dead

culture cruise

A CULTURE CRUISE TO DIE FOR! 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
The Culture Cruise is a unique way of exploring the rich diversity of art resources in El Paso, TX. The Cruise takes visitors on an exploratory journey through some of the finest art galleries, museums and other venues in Downtown El Paso. Participating venues will adopt a Dia de los Muertos theme and will receive visitors with traditional Pan de Muerto, hot chocolate, and live music at selected places. The Culture Cruise to Die For takes place ONLY on Thursday, November 1 from 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm. Visitors may take the cruise on their own by driving or walking throughout the area by using the provided map (UTEP venues are on your own). Admission to galleries is FREE.

Transportation by Sun Metro is 25 cents a ride, or free to anyone and their guests who park at Union Plaza Transit Terminal, 400 W. San Antonio (parking is $3). PDF

Download map for the Culture Cruise to Die For.

Participating Art Galleries and other Venues:
Adair Margo Gallery - www.adairmargo.com. The Adair Margo Gallery will present a Dia de los Muertos exhibit featuring an altar to Tom Lea in his Centennial Year, along with a sampler of work from our inventory based around the Dia de los Muertos theme. Tom Lea was El Paso's native son and a famed painter, author and war correspondent. Culture Cruisers will enjoy refreshments, snacks and great music. 415 E. Yandell, 533.0048,

Hal Marcus Gallery - http://www.halmarcus.com

Clarkston Art, Guitars & Gifts - www.jamesclarkston.com. Clarkston Art, Guitars & Gifts is proud to be a part of the "2007 Culture Cruise Too Die For". The evening will feature "Sueños" the latest exhibit by acclaimed El Paso Artist Mel Clarkston. Live Instrumental Guitar Music by James Clarkston, and a "Citywide Youth Art Show" winner will be announced. An altar will be set up in honor of Vincent Van Gogh, and refreshments will be offered. Retro Candy will also be available for purchase as well. 407 E. Nevada, El Paso, Tx 79902, (915) 351-0875.

Consulate General of Mexico - http://www.sre.gob.mx/elpaso - Consulate General of México - Viva la Vida Frida. The Consulate General of Mexico celebrates the life of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo featuring a traditional altar honoring her in her Centennial Year. Culture Cruisers will enjoy pan de muerto and champurrado. Free admission. 910 E.San Antonio Ave., El Paso, Texas 79901, (915) 533-8555, www.sre.gob.mx/elpaso

Creative Kids’ OlO Gallery - http://www.creativekidsart.org - In conjunction with the City of El Paso MCAD Dia de Los Muertos Festival at Union Plaza, the Creative Kids oLo Gallery will be open to visitors to view the artwork and altars done by the children in the program that is themed to Dia de Los Muertos, as well as a special tribute to Frida Kahlo. Union Plaza - From 6:00 pm -9:00 pm.

HusH Gallery - http://hush.thisisinfo.com - HusH Gallery – HusH Gallery presents Life after Death, an installation. The installation features traditional Hallows Eve and Dia De Los Muertos elements. 504 Stanton, El Paso, Tx 79901, 694-8617

Marie Otero Hair-Make-up-Art - Make up DEMO, Putumayo world music, paintings and Jewelry.

De Franco Designs Jewelry Expressions – Experience the delicate artistic talent of Patricia Vaupel through her indistinguishable one of kind jewelry creations. De Franco Designs and Jewelry Expressions will donate 20% from sales taking place during the Culture Cruise to Die For to the Museums and Cultural Affairs – Cultural and Heritage Tourism.

Under the Sun Gallery- www.gallery705@gmail.com Under The Sun Gallery invites you to the opening of Ray Parish / Becky Hendrick on Saturday, November 3rd. - reception 5 to 8pm. Under The Sun Gallery is associated with Under the Sun Studios which rents studio space to painters, sculptors, and assorted artists. However, the gallery is not limited to those who have studios there. The gallery is devoted to showing a broad level of local contemporary art, with the only criteria being high quality. The gallery is open (during the run of the shows) from 12 noon to 6pm, Tuesday through Saturday, or by appointment. (915) 351-6521. 705 Texas Avenue, El Paso, Texas 79901 (between N. Ochoa and N. Virginia streets, next to Cinco Puntos Press).

El Paso Chile Company - Cruise through El Paso Chile Company for fun food and spirited drinks! Welcome the spirits of our loved ones back with our Day of the Dead skeleton collection and our altar to Our Lady of Guadalupe. 909 Texas Avenue, El Paso, Texas 79901 - 915-544-3434- www.elpasochile.com

El Paso Museum of Art - www.elpasoartmuseum.org - A reproduction of the altar built by Frida Kahlo in her Casa Azul will be on display at the El Paso Museum of Art from October 29 – November 4. The Museum Gift shop will have select Frida Kahlo items and Pan de Muerto available for sale. DON’T MISS the McKnight Collection: Santos y Ex-Votos, a retablos exhibit from Oct. 7 – Jan. 27, 2008. Originally, placed in homes or houses of worship, these were used for personal and sacred reverence. This exhibition showcases a recent gift of oil on copper, tin or canvas retablos given to the Museum by Steven McKnight, Nancy McKnight – Howell and Elizabeth McKnight-Manning. All museum exhibits will be open and free for the Culture Cruise to Die For. One Arts Festival Plaza. (915) 532-1707.

El Paso Museum of History - http://www.elpasotexas.gov/history Dia de los Muertos Altar dedicated to Teresita Urrea -Teresita was a renowned curandera (healer) who attracted thousands of followers wherever she traveled. Almost 3,000 people camped outside of her home on Overland and Campbell Street when she first came to El Paso in June 1896. Also known as Santa Teresa, national media from the New York Times to the San Francisco Examiner wrote of her life and career. Come and learn about Teresita’s extraordinary life at the El Paso Museum of History! El Paso Museum of History -

El Paso Public Library (Main) - Exhibit: “Calaveras a la Mexicana” (Skulls Mexican Style) by Ciudad Juarez artist Fernando Rubio H. Discover transcendental art with a symbolic expression of happiness in different shapes and colors. This exhibit is composed of 18 skull graphic pieces in the pointillist style with permanent marker. The Skulls or Calaveras, as a form of plastic art, is a popular fantasy that for thousands of years has been used to represent death. The creative challenge on each picture is to “Give life to death” with the intention of entertaining and not scaring. On exhibit from Nov. 1 – 30. http://elpasotexas.gov/library

Insights El Paso Science Museum will be having special "Day of the Dead Science Shows" all evening. Learn the scientific reasons spooky stuff happens through demonstrations and interactives. The galleries will also be open and admission is $6 for adults, $5 for students, military, and seniors and $4 for children ages 4-11. http://www.insightselpaso.org

Tourist Distractions Gallery and Souvenir Shop - Exhibit features the work of artists, including founder Carlos Rodriguez, Pedro Rios Martinez, Martin Mancera, Luis Carlos Rodriguez and Azalia Marquez. An altar, built in collaboration with artists, will be displayed in honor of 5 fallen soldiers from Fort Bliss. Cruisers will enjoy a dance performance, refreshments and snacks. The organization works in collaboration with artists in the Experimental Laboratories Building on 1125 Texas Ave. to create El Paso's largest artist market.

Venues at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP):

Stanley and Gerald Rubin Center for the Visual Arts - will exhibit an engaging contemporary altar by UTEP sculpture students and recently graduated artists featuring hand-cast sugar skulls, ice sculptures and other hand-crafted elements. See our website for stunning pictures of altar details. On November 2, from 3-5 pm, we will have a lecture and multimedia presentation on Frida Kahlo by Mexican art expert Gregorio Luke, reception to follow. In our galleries – “Sirens’ Song: Contemporary Narrative Painting” and “Through the Eyes of the Condor: An Aerial Vision of Latin America”. For more info: www.utep.edu/arts or 747-6164.
Centennial Map

El Paso Centennial Museum - http://academics.utep.edu. Famous Ghosts of El Paso will be visiting the Centennial Museum’s exhibit from the National Geographic Society, “Through the Eyes of the Condor” (co-located with the Rubin Center. Parking available in the museum lot, entrance on University Avenue next to the Chihuahuan Desert Gardens. Join us for “Una Noche de Fantasmas!”