Museum of Anthropology gets into the Homecoming spirit

For the last 10 years, the Arizona State University Museum of Anthropology has presented an annual Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) exhibition that has brought together artists, students and the community through interactive displays and events. This year, the museum is taking that theme to ASU’s Homecoming 2010 Block Party on Oct. 30.

Dia de los Muertos – a popular and ancient Mexican holiday that honors loved ones who have passed on – fits nicely with this year’s Homecoming Halloween theme, as does the museum’s community-centered exhibit booth.

Visitors to the booth will find a Day of the Dead altar dedicated to mothers and may leave offerings or write messages to the departed. Also on hand will be a CALACA photo booth and an introduction to the museum’s new exhibition, Return of the Corn Mothers. Children will enjoy harvest-inspired face painting and learn to make traditional paper flowers and cornhusk dolls. Information will be available on the museum’s scholarly discussions and upcoming storytelling workshops, led by representatives from the South Mountain Community College Storytelling Institute.

All are invited to stop by the museum’s booth, 12:30-4 p.m., Oct. 30, located on the lawn north of the University Club and south of University Drive.

The ASU Museum of Anthropology, in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, is housed in the School of Human Evolution and Social Change on the Tempe campus. Fall hours are 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Monday-Friday and admission is free. For more information, call 480-965-6224.