We will have fun celebrating the Aztec/Mexican Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos), a multi-day holiday honoring the lives of departed loved ones, by decorating raw wood shrines (easily available online, info and discount coupon included.)

In Mexico, on November 1st and 2nd, families build altars or shrines featuring images of those being honored along with iconic symbols of sugar skulls, butterflies, marigold flowers and candles. We will create ours in time for you to use to honor the days.

In spite of the seemingly somber topic, it is a holiday that celebrates and honors the dearly departed with joy and often humor!

In this 3-hour workshop, you’ll decorate and embellish a charming wood shrine like the ones shown here.

You can honor a human or furry loved one, memorialize a favorite celebrity, or simply make a mini altar to showcase a special keepsake or any small statue. 

Most of the instructional information will be covered in the first half of the workshop. In the second half I will answer questions and provide individual help while everyone happily creates together—stay as long as you like, a recording will be available for those who must leave early or can’t attend live. 

The healing power that our group generates with our creativity will have long lasting effects on our own wellbeing and on our planet!

BONUS! Do you prefer to just watch the live event and create your shrine later? That’s fine! Everyone will get a bonus 7-page downloadable adult coloring book with a Day of the Dead theme, so you can watch the workshop while you enjoy coloring, and then create your project on your own time.

 Basic supplies needed: 

(Additional details are available in the download you get when you sign up.)

Unfinished Wood Nicho and wood shapes  These are available online from Bones & Cobwebs. I will be demo-ing the Arch Day of the Dead Nicho With Doors style, however you may use a different style of unfinished wood shrine if you prefer. A discount coupon is included in the full supply list you receive when you sign up, it is good for orders placed with Bones & Cobwebs through October 15, 2024.

Acrylic paints (in colors of your choice)

Brushes

Sponge for painting

Optional: Embellishments, glitter T-shirt paint, Mod Podge 

Basic craft supplies and tools such as scissors, glue, etc.

If you have participated in my previous Day of the Dead workshops in previous years, any leftover supplies from those may come in handy!

Note:  If you prefer to just watch the live workshop and create your project later,  that’s fine, too! If desired, you can color in one of the images in the bonus downloadable adult coloring book using Prismacolor pencils or other media of your choice.

 WHAT YOU GET:

1. A 3-hour live workshop with Meryl Ann and other awesome creative participants during which you will see clear demos, have questions answered, and create your Day of the Dead wood shrine or altar (or you can just watch and create later!) The workshop will be recorded for those who cannot attend the live workshop or for attendees to review later.
2.   A 33-page pdf download of templates, patterned papers and instructions, including a set of bonus Day of the Dead coloring and activity pages, IS INCLUDED IN YOUR REGISTRATION FEE! (If you purchased these digital image sets separately, it would cost over $30!) Be sure you can open pdfs on your device.  —You will need access to a printer, either during the workshop or before or both. If your home printer isn’t friendly with card stock or if you prefer not to use your own color ink,  local office supply stores can print your selected pages. If printing at home, you will need your own paper and/or card stock. This download includes a bonus 7-page adult coloring book with a Day of the Dead theme suitable for coloring in with Prismacolor pencils, markers or other media! Feel free to enjoy coloring while you attend the workshop if you plan to decorate your shrine later.
3. And you’ll have a fun and relaxing respite with a great group of creative souls! Studies have shown that just 45 minutes of creative arts activity lowers stress, enhances sleep, reduces both high blood pressure and cortisol, and increases endorphins!

Registration Form

If you want to find out more about the popular “Day of the Dead” holiday before or after the workshop you can watch the movie “Coco” and/or enjoy this 4-minute music video, “Calaverita” by La Santa Cecilia