Atelier de Sosi’s annual Day of the Dead is Friday
Work by Andres Garcia.
Halloween is still weeks away, but the first really interesting themed party is happening this Friday, 7-10 p.m.
It’s the annual Dia de los Muertos event at the art gallery Atelier de Sosi, in the Warehouse Arts District. Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) has its origins in Mexico. There, artist Mark Noll told the Catalyst in 2021, “they say you die three deaths. The first is when your heart stops beating, when you no longer draw breath. The second is when you’re put into the ground. And the third and final death is when your name is no longer spoken. When you’re forgotten.”
Therefore, the Dia de los Muertos celebration “is a way to remember, to keep those memories of our loved ones alive.”
Noll, the engineer behind St. Pete’s first such event (in 2018 at Florida CraftArt) and the 2021 followup at Atelier de Sosi, is not directly involved this time around.
Work by Tony Jennings.
The torch has been ably passed to Atelier director Danyell Bauer, his co-curator for the 2021 go-round.
More than 30 artists answered Bauer’s call, with paintings, sculpture, graphic design, illustrations, jewelry and more. The are even a couple artistically-transformed mannequins.
Work by Kristina Gintautiene.
The artists were also given “sugar skulls” (from Noll’s design) and small wooden “memory boxes” to decorate as they pleased.
“It’s not just skeletons,” says Bauer, “although I love any artwork with skeletons, and that part is very cool also. A lot of the work involves personal stories of family members that are lost, or memories, or different things like that where they’ve used this show to bring that story out. And explain that story for themselves. I think that’s something that’s kind of special about the show.”
Friday’s event, as in years past, is about much more than the art.
“The whole point of the show, too, is that it’s an experience. We don’t just want it to be another art show. We get dressed up. We’re going to have face-painting and music, and a food truck. We try to encompass the whole idea of what Dia de los Muertos is and really make it an immersive experience.”
Curator Danyell Bauer.
The legend of Atelier de Sosi’s Mexican death fiesta has grown since last year. Most of the 22 artists are new to the exhibit.
“I think a big part of it is the meaning of the show itself,” says Bauer. “Dia de los Muertos is a day to celebrate and remember those who have passed on. It’s supposed to be the things that they loved, and celebrating who they were. And when you give artists a theme like that, the work that comes out of it is really special. Because a lot of it has a very personal meaning to them, and their own stories.
The Dia de los Muertos show will be open during Second Saturday Artwalk – it will remain through Nov. 17 – but the Friday bash, with its costumes, music and face-painting, is the real centerpiece.
“It’s going to be a party,” enthuses Bauer. “I’ve got my skeleton suit all ready.”
