Creative Retreat for Days of the Dead with Helen Byers – G26100401
PLEASE CALL 505.685.1000 to book this program.
Days of the Dead (Días de los Muertos) is the Latin American holiday coinciding with Halloween, All Souls’ Day, and All Saints’ Day. It is both a shared acknowledgment of death’s reality and a celebration of lives of deceased loved ones. Come explore the creative whimsy and dark humor, cultural history and creative arts of this ancient festivity. We will make traditional Mexican crafts, including papel picado (cut paper banners), playfully decorated sugar skulls, pan de muertos (a sweet bread), and ofrendas (memorial “altars”).
The retreat is housed at Casa del Sol, an historic adobe house two miles beyond the main campus of Ghost Ranch, overlooking the high-desert cliffs, mesas, and mountain that inspired Georgia O’Keeffe. Mornings will begin with discussion of a poem or short text, followed by crafts. Afternoons will provide time to relax, hike, take a ranch tour or horseback ride, or visit nearby sites such as Ojo Caliente Hot Springs. Evenings will offer firelight, stars, and camaraderie. Throughout our time, we will decorate and share our ofrendas. Join us for thoughtful discussion and creative fun!
Instructor
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Helen ByersHelen Byers is an award-winning artist, illustrator, and educator living in New Mexico near Ghost Ranch. Since 2010 her work has focused on botanical and natural science illustration. Since 2005 she has taught annually at the Ranch, where her workshops and retreats have inspired many.
Helen has also taught at the New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill (MA), Concord Center for the Visual Arts (MA), Tin Mountain Conservation Center (NH), Santa Fe Botanical Garden, the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum, and privately. She has exhibited nationally and internationally through juried exhibitions of the American Society of Botanical Artists, and elsewhere. She also participates annually in the Abiquiu Studio Tour.
To learn more about Helen and her work, visit helenbyers.com and facebook.com/helenbyersart.