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Two young girls creating art for Día de los Muertos

Kohl’s Family Sundays: Día de los Muertos

Welcome to a special online version of our popular family event: Kohl’s Family Sundays. Today we will be celebrating Day of the Dead. Explore the symbols of the day as you enjoy a bilingual story time, make art with local artists, learn about traditional baked goods, and listen to mariachi music. See the special ofrendas made by students from Escuela Vieau in memory of loved ones who have passed. Discover art in the Museum’s collection. And, we want to see what YOU make. Share your Family Sundays–inspired art here.

Jump to:

Story Time: The Day of the Dead/El Día de los Muertos: A Bilingual Celebration, by Bob Barner

Follow (and sing!) along as Ms. Melanie, children’s librarian from the Milwaukee Public Library, reads a picture book about Day of the Dead in English and Spanish. Want to learn more? Check out Ms. Melanie’s top five book choices for Día de los Muertos:

  1. Día de los Muertos, by Roseanne Greenfield Thong, illustrated by Charles Ballesteros
  2. Funny Bones: Posada and His Day of the Dead Calaveras, by Duncan Tonatiuh
  3. La Catrina: Emotions-Emociones, by Patty Rodriguez and Ariana Stein
  4. Día de los Muertos, by Hannah Eliot, illustrated by Jorge Gutierrez
  5. Little Skeletons/Esqueletitos: Countdown to Midnight (Canticos), by Susie Jaramillo

Make Art!

Join local artists in their studios as they lead art-making activities for the whole family.

DIY Mini Ofrenda

Artist Debbie Sajnani shares their design process, and shows you how to make a mini ofrenda.

Materials: illustration (below), colored pencils, scissors, glue stick
Optional: markers, glitter, sequins
Download illustration »

Papel Picado Print

Printmaker Alynn Guerra takes you through how to print a special Day of the Dead–themed design on a t-shirt.

Materials: copy of the design (below), Speedy Carve plate, lino cutter set, printmaking ink for fabric, soft brayer (printmaking roller), spatula or flexible putty knife, 4B pencil, pen, inking slab (a piece of glass or acrylic), t-shirt, newspaper, rags or paper towel for clean up
Download illustration »

Corn Husk Marigold

Artist Yesica Coria shares her sculptures, and shows you how to make a marigold out of corn husks.

Materials: corn husks (found at Mexican grocery stores), dye (orange, yellow, and green), spray bottle filled with water, string, scissors, wooden stick, hot glue gun and glue, floral tape

Papier-Maché Skeleton

Artist Ceci Tejeda teaches you how to make a papier-maché skeleton.

Materials: newspaper strips, aluminum foil, engrudo (1 cup flour, 1½ cup hot water, 1 tsp. sugar; keep refrigerated), pencil, paints, and brushes

Day of the Dead Baked Goods

Watch as Jorge and Cindy Lopez craft traditional Day of the Dead bread and cookies at Lopez Bakery & Restaurant, located on Historic Mitchell Street.

Music

Listen as the Mariachi Monarcas de Milwaukee perform El Caporal.

Student Art Exhibition

See ofrendas made by elementary and middle school students from Escuela Vieau.

Take a Tour

Join Dianne for a virtual tour highlighting works by Mexican and Mexican American artists in the Museum’s collection.

Share Your Creations!

After you complete one—or all of!—the art activities, share your creations! Tag @MilwaukeeArt and use #MAMStudioAtHome from a public social media account and your artwork may appear on this page.

Share your feedback on today’s event; email us at youthandfamily@mam.org.