MUSEUM SHOPS | October 2024

Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a holiday originating in Mexico and celebrated throughout Latin America honoring the dead with festivals and lively celebrations. The holiday recognizes death as a natural part of the human experience, and on these special days, those that have passed away are awakened from their eternal sleep to celebrate with loved ones. Find colorful additions for your ofrenda or other playful artworks to celebrate this treasured holiday at the Lynn Godfrey Brown Shop at the Museum of International Folk Art. Featured in the shop this month are a variety of skeletons and other Day of the Dead themed items to add to your decor and make your fiesta special.

One of our shop favorites are the skeleton scenes by Saul Montesinos. He has been creating Day of the Dead pieces from clay for as long as he can remember, beginning in his father's workshop and later taking over the family business. His playful artworks feature whimsical scenes with bursts of color that are sure to make you smile. From candleholders, to small skeletons, to larger showpieces, we have a wide array of pieces to choose from.

If you are looking for some sweet decorative pieces, we have beautiful candles, paper flowers, and paper mache that will add a pop of color to your fiesta. Traditionally used for celebrations, our floral candles from Oaxaca are so pretty that they can be used as decoration. We also have a wide selection of paper flowers and papel picados, all made by hand by skilled artisans. Inspired by Cartoneria, we also have a wide selection of paper mache sculptures and ornaments that also make wonderful gifts and party favors.

Colorful floral taper candle from Oaxaca, Mexico.

We also have a few showstopper retablos from reowned retablisto, Claudio Jimenez Quispe. Bursting with vibrant color and action, the figures occupying Claudio's complex retablos are formed by hand and individually painted, later incorporated together in a large scene. His work is inspired by his cultural heritage, yet portrays universally-recognizable ideas and experiences.

Hat Shop retablo by Claudio Jiminez Quispe.