LYNNFIELD — More than 150 students in Lynnfield Middle School’s Spanish classes recently created a Day of the Dead Community Altar titled Butterflies and Memories.
The students, in collaboration with Casa de Artesanos and A Healthy Lynnfield, created this art installation to share a cultural heritage while also stressing sustainable art and mental health awareness. Day of the Dead takes place Nov. 1-2 annually.
The Mexican tradition of honoring the dead involves creating an altar with pictures of loved ones, candles, marigolds and the favorite foods and items of those who have passed away. The altar is a bridge between worlds, allowing the souls to return each year to be reunited with their loved ones. The scents of the flowers and food and candles signal the way for a celebration of life and memory, not sadness.
The altar also stands as an example of eco-conscious creativity. Knowing that so much of the trash in the U.S. can be reused, this art is helping to heal the earth by using recycled, biodegradable materials. The materials used were reused and biodegradable materials: cardboard, paper, wax, bottles, cans, chopsticks, fresh flowers, and ceramics.
Through this activity, the students highlighted the impact art can have on mental health and emotional well-being. Understanding this cultural tradition, participants gained a new perspective on dealing with grief. Art as a way to de-stress resonated with many of the students. Whether through paint, yarn, glue, or flower making, students relaxed in the process and were reminded that sometimes you just need to busy your hands to un-busy your brain.
Through this project, students explored the power of collective art making as a form of emotional release and intercultural dialogue. The altar transcends its physical structure to become a ritual of connection, resilience, and love – a bridge between generations and a celebration of community healing through art.