The Ofrenda Ritual: Bridging Art and Death

Create an altar in honor of a lost loved one, and explore the history and symbolism of the ofrenda ritual. Cultures of all locations, religions, and customs find solace in art-making in celebration of death. There is a deep human need to develop and practice traditions for dealing with the grief of loss. Carl Jung believed visual representations of the psyche were instrumental in understanding the various responses people have to the archetype of death. In this all-day workshop, explore how the art-making process of creating an ofrenda – or altar – can provide a deeper understanding of and relationship with death. Join us as we uncover how the Aztec and Catholic religions influenced the meanings and symbols of the ofrenda ritual, create an ofrenda of your own in honor of a loved one, and share in a discussion of synchronicity, the artistic process, and hidden fears of dying and death.