Día de los Muertos is a time to celebrate and pay respects to deceased loved ones, and this year Santa Rosa Junior College is hosting a Zoom Altar-making workshop for anyone who would like to participate.
Local artist and SRJC alum Amanda Ayala will host the event “Altars and Ancestors” from 2:30-4 p.m. Oct. 29. Ayala encourages people from all backgrounds to participate even if you have limited experience or knowledge of the Día de los Muertos traditions.
Ayala is part of the Latinx community who identifies as a Xicana and understands the importance of connecting to both family history and culture. She wants to bring her experience of hosting workshops to the SRJC community.
“My hope is that people feel connected and then maybe get some type of inspiration,” Ayala said. It doesn’t have to be about if people want to make an altar or anything; maybe that’ll happen and it’s likely that it will, but it’s also thinking about different ways we can create in our lives to help us with connection and helping us understand our connection to everything.”
The workshop not only offers the ability to connect participants with their ancestors but also a safe space to heal for those who may have broken family relations.
“I don’t want someone to see this and think ‘Oh they’re gonna be working on ancestry. I’m adopted, or I have a really horrible relationship with my parents or grandparents and I don’t know that information and I don’t want to go into it.’ Hopefully this is going to be a healing space for people to understand that they are connected and however you’re connected is fine,” Ayala said. “It’s more about noticing how many people are a part of your life and have been a part of your life.”
To join “Altars and Ancestors,” visit Zoom.com and input code 7077782427.
