Celebrate at the Museum
Contributed by Bethany Buckingham-Follett
This fall in Wasilla, the Wasilla Museum and Visitors Center is opening their doors to bring the public an engaging slate of temporary exhibits and family programming.
For many in the Latinx community, the fall season is the season of remembrance. A time to honor those who came before us by celebrating their life and commemorating their spirit. In support of this and to bring the Valley community together during this time, the Museum is proud to present their community Dia de Los Muertos exhibit. In the exhibit, visitors will learn more about the holiday and festivities surrounding this celebration of life that explores love, life, and loss. As part of the exhibit, the Museum has created a community ofrenda (altar dedicated to honor lost loved ones) and is currently accepting photographs for those who would like to honor and remember friends, family and even animal companions. Those interested in participating can drop off their photographs at the front desk during museum hours. The museum is open Tuesdays through Fridays between 10 am and 3 pm. Photographs will be on display through November 3rd.
As part of the Dia de Los Muertos celebrations, the Museum will be hosting a series of events including a community art workshop and an evening reception. On Saturday, October 21st from 12:00 -3:00PM the museum will be hosting a calaveritas (miniature skulls) sugar skull making workshop. Visitors will join museum staff in decorating sugar skulls and participating in other traditional arts of Dia de Los Muertos inside the historic schoolhouse in the Museum’s historic townsite. The workshop is free, while supplies last. On Wednesday, November 1st, 3:00PM – 6:30PM, the Museum invites the community to join them for an afternoon of remembrance and sharing of culture. At 5:00PM children from the Fronteras Spanish Immersion School will be performing a series of cultural dances coordinated by Mary Carmen Hernandez. Performances will include Mrs. Martinez 1st grade class performing a dance from Mexico, Ms. Husman’s Kindergarten class performing a dance from Spain, Mrs. Omaira Rivera’s 2nd and 3rd grade classes performing dances from Cuba and Mrs. Jen Renee’s 1st grade class performing a tango from Argentina. The reception will be generously catered by Tacos Cancun and free to the public while supplies last.
The Wasilla Museum and Visitors Center hopes to see you this fall and looks forward to celebrating the season with the community.