For the 6th annual Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) at the Arlington Arts Center, local artist David Amoroso created interactive altars and paintings to honor and remember deceased loved ones. Claire Huschle, executive director of the Arts Center said the event also marks an anniversary. "The first program that we had in the new building, was the Day of the Dead exhibit in 2004 … It was hugely popular even then."
The Mexican holiday focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember loved ones who have died. The celebration occurs in connection with the Catholic holy days of All Saints’ Day (Nov. 1) and All Souls’ Day (Nov. 2). Traditions include building private altars, making sugar skulls and offering favorite foods and beverages of the dead loved ones. It is believed that remembering deceased loved ones makes it easier for souls of the departed to visit the living.
According to the 47-year-old Amoroso, every year he adds something different to the installation but at the same time, he strives to keep it authentic. "This year I put the couple in a boat with the amor eterno [everlasting love] banner." Guests to the exhibit are invited to tell stories of their departed loved ones and place items on the altars. "By the time we take the exhibition down, there are playing cards, letters, photographs, packs of gum," said Huschle.
Amoroso who grew up in Northern Virginia said that he became intrigued by Hispanic culture while he was teaching E.S.L. (English as a Second Language) classes to Latino immigrants. And then travel to Mexico, Guatemala and El Salvador gave him the exposure to language and culture that ignited his creative artistic efforts. The self-taught visual artist took lots of photographs during his travels and said Latino themes are prevalent in his work. "I was fascinated … I did not have my own culture and traditions were not there for me," said Amoroso.

YOUNG AND OLD alike enjoyed the colorful altars while sipping hot chocolate. Many came to observe a cultural tradition but for others it was also an opportunity to have a good time with family and friends. Armando Reyes, one of the dancers who performed at the event with the dance group, Los Tecuanes, brought his two sons, 6-year-old Joshua and 5-year-old Jamil Reyes. In addition to the dance performance, music by Mariachi Fiesta gave the crowd a chance to dance and sing along to traditional Spanish songs.
Huschle said this annual event is a perfect example of the Arts Center’s mission. "Our job is to bring people in to a community setting and to make it [art] accessible and to offer programs and workshops for people to understand it better." She is quick to credit her team of staff and volunteers and the Arlington business community for their support in meeting and exceeding the goals of the Center. "We want to be an art center with a national reputation but a local heart."
The Jenkins Community Gallery in the lower level of the Arts Center will house the Day of the Dead exhibit through Nov. 7. To donate or to learn more, visit www.arlingtonartscenter.com