Herrera Elementary School Students Display Ofrendas at MIM October 23, 2017 Artwork honors past musicians and composers To celebrate Día de los Muertos, MIM and the Silvestre S. Herrera School for the Fine Arts and Dual Language in Phoenix are collaborating on Ofrendas (offerings), a student exhibition to honor musicians and composers of the past. The artwork will be created by nearly fifty third and sixth graders from the Herrera elementary school and will be on display at MIM from Saturday, October 28, to Sunday, November 26. While typical ofrendas may take up a full altar or table with food, pictures of the deceased, and other decorations, this project will be condensed to a one-by-one-foot shadow box. Students will work with their teachers to research famous musicians and composers and create unique and insightful artworks based on their lives. Today, students will learn even more about global artists and music when they take a guided field trip through MIM’s Geographic Galleries. Through the partnership between MIM and the Herrera elementary school, students can explore the relationship between music and celebrations from around the world and discover the importance of music in the culture and tradition of Mexican and Mexican American communities. “This partnership gives students the chance to engage in music through the perspectives of history and culture,” says Ryan Borden, MIM’s programs associate. “It helps illuminate important Mexican American traditions, and it’s great for the students to participate in them through a musical lens.” EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
