El Dia de los Muertos/Day of the Dead Call for Entries

Deadline: Friday, September 4
Dates on View: Friday, October 9 - Saturday, November 7, 2009
El Dia de los Muertos/Day of the Dead Celebration: Sunday, November 1, Noon - 5p.m.
Indianapolis Art Center
820 E. 67th St.
Indianapolis, IN 46220

The Indianapolis Art Center is calling for artists to submit proposals for Altars and Shrines for its 10th Annual El Dia de los Muertos/Day of the Dead Celebration. The deadline for application is Friday, September 4. Below are brief descriptions on the Altars and Shrines.

About the Altar (Ofrenda):

The goal of constructing an altar, or ofrenda, is to honor and welcome back the soul of the deceased person. An altar may be dedicated to an individual or a group of people who have departed. Items on the altar should celebrate the spirit of the deceased in a way that encourages enjoyable memories.

Please note that the altars are to be for specific people, not animals, political or domestic causes. This also means that altars for groups of people should not have a political agenda or cause as a focus or detail of the altar. If you have questions about whether or not your subject is appropriate please contact us (see below for contact information).

About the Shrine:

A shrine serves as a type of memorial dedicated to an individual or a group of people who have died. Shrines range in size and scope. Many of us are familiar with a wide variety of shrines here in the United States—ranging from the World War II Memorial to small roadside shrines filled with pictures, flowers, and notes.

All shrines provide relatives, friends, and the public an opportunity to honor and reflect upon the lives led by those who have died. Shrines, like altars, have become a way of telling stories about people. They provide individuals in the community another way to express and transform loss into an experience of beauty.

The Art Center’s shrine exhibition plays an integral role in the El Día de los Muertos celebration to be held Sunday, November 1, 2009, Noon-5 p.m. Those in attendance will be able to view the shrines along a lit path in ARTSPARK. Tours of the exhibition will also be scheduled with community groups throughout the run of the show.

Call For Entries:
For more information and to download an altar application click [here].
For more information and to download a shrine application click [here].

If you have any further questions or would like to request a paper copy of the application please contact Laura Alvarado at (317) 255-2464 x 235 or Patrick Flaherty at (317) 255-2464 x238.