La Calavera Catrina
Come visit the Garden's upcoming exhibit, June 25th - November 9th
Coming to the Garden this Summer!
Experience the rich history and iconography of La Catrina through colorful and joyful large-scale skeleton sculptures throughout Columbus Botanical Garden. Discover nine eight-foot-tall sculptures created by Los Angeles-based artist Ricardo Soltero sited throughout the living galleries of the gardens. Organized by Denver Botanic Gardens, the exhibition is on view from June through November and is included with general admission.
EVENTS
Members Only - First Harvest!
June 25th, 6:30pm-8:30pm
This Member's Only event is an opportunity to celebrate the summer bounty from CBG's vegetable garden, learn how the garden helps fight local food insecurity, visit with master gardeners, and get a taste of the Garden's produce. First Harvest guests will also get an exclusive preview of La Calavera Catrina before it opens to the public.
Please register by June 22nd at the link below.
Family FriYAYs
Every Friday from July 10th to August 28th, 4pm-7pm
Evening drop in program with a new theme centering the Catrinas every week.
FREE for members!
July 10th - Printing like Posada
Highlighting La Catrina garbancera de Jose Guadalupe Posada, come create your own print in a similar way to how Jose Posada did!
July 17th - Marigold Magic
Highlighting La Vendedora de Flores guests can try tea made from marigolds and create their own paper marigolds!
July 24th - Frida, Flowers, and Fun!
Highlighting La Friducha Artist and we will create our own foam flower headbands similar to the iconic headwear she is known for wearing.
July 31st - Papel Picado Party
Highlighting La Catrina de Diego Rivera and sharing about the traditions of celebrating a loved one after they are gone with an ofrenda and create your own papel picado to decorate with.
August 7th - Earth to eARTh
Highlighting Lady Mictlan and making art from the earth using soil and clay to celebrate the cycle of life and transformation as new life emerges through the work of decomposers and richness of soil.
August 14th - Abundant Offerings
During this drop in program we’ll highlight La Vendedora de Frutas, learn about creating an ofrenda and the tradition of leaving food for our loved ones, have a chance to try some fruits and foods and weave a small basket to take home!
August 21st - Wings and Whereabouts
Highlighting La Catrina Vestida de Mariposas, guests can learn about the monarch butterfly, what they symbolize in Mexican culture, and how we can reflect on our own journeys by creating a pair of wings that represent who we are.
August 28th - Maria’s Movie Night at North Columbus Library
Highlighting María Felix, a renowned Mexican actress and beauty of the 20th century, we'll be celebrating the end of summer with a movie at North Columbus Library! We invite you to the Garden afterwards for sweet treats and fun activities!
Sponsored by:
Catrinas After Dark
September 3rd, September 10th, September 17th
Catrina After Dark is an immersive evening experience set among the illuminated La Calavera Catrina sculptures. As the sun sets, the garden transforms with candlelight, lanterns, soft music, and glowing pathways that highlight the beauty and symbolism of the exhibit.
FREE for Members!
About La Calavera Catrina
La Catrina appears as part of the celebrations of Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) held throughout Mexico, where death is not treated with mournful commemoration but as a colorful celebration of life. It is believed the souls of the deceased return from October 31 through November 2 to enjoy the pleasures of life. Families create altars with photographs of the departed along with offerings including candles, incense, marigolds, and bread baked in the shape of skulls. La Calavera Catrina exhibition is one of the ways Columbus Botanical Garden observes this important cultural tradition.
Depicted as an elegant female skeleton, La Catrina was originally born out of Mexican social satire. In 1913, Mexican artist and illustrator José Guadalupe Posada created the very first version of La Catrina. She was intended as a parody, mocking the high-society European obsessions of Mexican
president Porfirio Díaz, whose corruption led to the Mexican Revolution of 1911. La Catrina remains a light-hearted and well-loved part of Mexican culture. Visitors to this exhibition will explore popular La Catrina iconography including Frida Kahlo, Mexican actress Maria Felix, Mictēcacihuātl, the Aztec queen of the underworld, and more. Signage accompanying the sculptures explains the history and context of La Catrina iconography in both Spanish and English.
About the Artist
Born in Nayarit, Mexico, Ricardo Soltero is the set designer for the largest Día de los
Muertos celebration in the United States, which takes place annually at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Los Angeles. Both a sculptor and a costume designer, Soltero’s projects include works and design for Semblanza Latinoamericana dance and music festival, Metropolitan Fashion Week, UNICEF’s annual gala and the Autry Museum in Los Angeles, CA.
La Calavera Catrina is generously sponsored by:
Nora and Gardiner Garrard
Header photo credit:
Ricardo Soltero, La vendedora de frutas, fiberglass and paint, 2017. Artwork by Ricardo Soltero.
Photo © Scott Dressel-Martin.
La Calavera Catrina is organized by Denver Botanic Gardens.
Slider photo credit:
Photo 1: Ricardo Soltero, La vendedora de frutas, fiberglass and paint, 2017.
Photo 2: Ricardo Soltero, Lady Mictlán, fiberglass and paint, 2017.
Photo 3: Ricardo Soltero, La Catrina vestida de mariposas, fiberglass and paint, 2017.
Artworks by Ricardo Soltero. Photos © Scott Dressel- Martin. La Calavera Catrina is organized by Denver Botanic Gardens.