Dia de Los Muertos, translated as “Day of the Dead”, is a multi-day festival in Mexico honoring departed ancestors, friends and family. There are journeys to cemeteries to spruce up neglected gravesites, lively marketplaces selling breads, candies in the shapes of skeletons, and family altars lovingly assembled. Halloween-like festivities are taken to the streets and peaceful vigils convene in cemeteries.
Stumptown Art Studio has been using this occasion for 11 years now to inspire high school and younger art students from around the Flathead Valley to create paintings and sculptures. Teachers work with their students for this annual Stumptown Art Studio event featuring a festive Mexican style art exhibit that will capture the essence and spirit of Dias de los Muertos.
Add this to your list of “Hallowed” activities and get your fill of culture along with fun on Thursday, October 6 from 6-9 p.m. during the Whitefish Gallery Night. This night is for the entire family to enjoy the exhibit and refreshments.
The Dias de los Muertos exhibit can be seen throughout the month, until November 1.
Stumptown Art Studio is a non-profit community art center in the heart of Whitefish, Montana. In this 20th anniversary year a permanent endowment fund was established. The art center was founded in 1995 to offer art opportunities for all ages and art interests including: classes, workshops, art camps, art parties, a clay cooperative, potter painting, glass fusing and mosaic-making in the Ceramics Annex, art gifts, retail art supplies and exhibits.
Exhibits hosted at Stumptown Art Studio feature guest artists, group displays, student works, new work and provide exhibit experience for emerging artists. Each month during the First Thursday Gallery Night season from May through October, the work of a different artist is on display for a month.
Open hours to view exhibitions and take part in the many other art offerings are: Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.and Sundays from noon-5 p.m. After hours parties and birthday parties can also be arranged. For continued updates please call 406.862.5929, stop by 145 Central Avenue in Whitefish or check the web site at www.stumptownartstudio.org
Whitefish Gallery Nights 