CSUN holds Dia de los Muertos celebration honoring lost loved ones

2 weeks ago

California State University Northridge’s Department of Chicana/o Studies and its Chicano House threw a Dia de los Muertos celebration on Friday, Nov. 1, to honor the memories of loved ones lost over the years. The several-hour celebration took place on the lawn in front of the Chicano House on the campus.

“I hope that our communities of students expand outward to the larger community of Los Angeles, particularly the San Fernando Valley,” said Chicano studies professor Sandra De La Loza, in a prepared statement. “I want people to be moved through spirit, memory and relationality. We are enlightened in celebrating our ancestors.”

California State University Northridge’s Department of Chicana/o Studies and its Chicano House collaborate with the Department of Art and Design to create a Dia de los Muertos celebration that honors the memories of loved ones lost over the years on Friday, Nov. 1. A procession, led by Calpulli Tlahuicole, a group of danzantes (Aztec dancers), moves across campus to bless the altar at the Art Galleries and ends at the community altar at the Chicano House. (Photo by Mark Savage, Contributing Photographer)

Alejandro Flores participates in the procession.
California State University Northridge’s Department of Chicana/o Studies and its Chicano House collaborate with the Department of Art and Design to create a Dia de los Muertos celebration that honors the memories of loved ones lost over the years on Friday, Nov. 1. A procession, led by Calpulli Tlahuicole, a group of danzantes (Aztec dancers), moves across campus to bless the altar at the Art Galleries and ends at the community altar at the Chicano House. (Photo by Mark Savage, Contributing Photographer)

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Sonia Medrano participates in the procession.
California State University Northridge’s Department of Chicana/o Studies and its Chicano House collaborate with the Department of Art and Design to create a Dia de los Muertos celebration that honors the memories of loved ones lost over the years on Friday, Nov. 1. A procession, led by Calpulli Tlahuicole, a group of danzantes (Aztec dancers), moves across campus to bless the altar at the Art Galleries and ends at the community altar at the Chicano House. (Photo by Mark Savage, Contributing Photographer)

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Mayra Matias participates in the procession.
California State University Northridge’s Department of Chicana/o Studies and its Chicano House collaborate with the Department of Art and Design to create a Dia de los Muertos celebration that honors the memories of loved ones lost over the years on Friday, Nov. 1. A procession, led by Calpulli Tlahuicole, a group of danzantes (Aztec dancers), moves across campus to bless the altar at the Art Galleries and ends at the community altar at the Chicano House. (Photo by Mark Savage, Contributing Photographer)

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Printmaking instructor Michelle Rozic created an installation that featured prints of spirit animals placed on a tree. And art education professor Cristin Taylor led a workshop on making paper skulls, marigold headbands, mini piñatas, alebrijes, picture and frames. The CSUN Art Galleries featured a community ancestor altar, and the acclaimed Boyle Heights-based Kalli Arte Collective planned to host a glow-in-the-dark mask workshop.

A procession moved across campus and blessed the altar at the Art Galleries and ended at the community alter at the Chicano House. In the evening, a cultural program planned to offer Ballet Folklorico de Aztlan, Kalpulli Tlahuicole, DJ Mestizo, and Crew Conjunto Hueyapan.

The events were coordinated by De La Loza and MEChA de CSUN (El Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlán), Colita De Rana, a student club that focuses on healing practices and the Department of Chicana/o Studies.