Calaveritas Literarias: A Día de Muertos Writing Tradition
About the event
Celebrate Día de Muertos in the Ryerson Library. We'll explore the iconic, satirical prints of artist José Guadalupe Posada and write some lighthearted "mock obituaries" in the Mexican literary tradition of "calaveritas literarias."
Calaveritas, or "little skulls," are witty, lighthearted mock obituaries written for Día de Muertos. These whimsical poems gently mock life's absurdities by playfully imagining how La Catrina, the iconic symbol of the Day of the Dead, might guide us into the afterlife.
This program is capped at 40 participants and will be first come, first served.
ASL interpretation and/or assisted listening devices are available upon request at access@artic.edu. To learn more about access options visit https://www.artic.edu/visit/accessibility.
about the facilitators
Gaby Lavalle is tour specialist in Gallery Activation at the Art Institute of Chicago. In this role, she leads meaningful gallery conversations and engagement programs. She is interested in using art to spark curiosity, empathy, and personal growth. Gaby's personal practices include painting, drawing, and writing about art and migration.
Gaby holds an MA in Art Education from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) and a BA in Textiles from the Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico City.
Sam Ramos is the director of Gallery Activation at the Art Institute of Chicago. He leads conversations across the galleries on a wide range of topics, but is most interested in using art to inspire questions about the meaning and value of life. He is a practicing writer who has published fiction, art criticism, and essays in numerous places. His most recent novel, Ghost Box, was longlisted for the 2023 Dzanc Fiction Prize. He’s currently developing a new short story collection. He received his BFA in art history and studio art, as well as his MFA in creative writing from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. He has taught creative writing at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and St. Edward’s University in Austin.
