The First Friday Art Walk on Nov. 2 was unlike any other. The art walk was energized by a Día de los Muertos celebration that drew an impressive crowd to the Santa Fe Art District.
The First Friday Art Walk on Santa Fe’s historic art district is a long standing Denver tradition. On the first Friday of each month, the stretch of Santa Fe between 13th St. and Alameda Ave. lights up with activity. Local artists have a chance to display their work while art buffs gather to appreciate creativity. Most of the art walks draw a large crowd to the district, however this past Friday brought a crowd like no other.
Hundreds poured onto the streets of the art district to admire and celebrate Día de los Muertos. Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a popular Mexican holiday in which family and friends come together to remember their loved ones who have passed. Those who celebrate it will often build altars, or ofrendas, used to welcome spirits back to the world of the living. These ofrendas are often intricately and meticulously decorated with food, photos and flowers. Other traditions include face painting and decorating sugar skulls.
This mix between the regular scheduled Art Walk and the Día de los Muertos celebration culminated in a beautiful display of color and excitement. The streets were packed with couples, families, friends and entertainers. Street musicians and performers could be found on every corner. A group of young children performed an impressive traditional Mexican dance, which drew the attention of onlookers. Food trucks arrived to serve authentic Mexican fare, and face painters were hard at work painting the faces of the many children at the walk.
The art galleries were bustling with activity. Artists proudly showed off their work to anyone who approached. Art galleries can be found just about anywhere in the Santa Fe Art District, including in back alleyways. Some galleries even offered spectators the opportunity to decorate their own sugar skulls.
The night also offered opportunities for unique events not usually found on the Friday Art Walks. The night was kicked off with a free screening of the hit film Coco. Then, a traditional procession made its way around the streets of the art district. The night ended with a costume contest and a closing celebration.
This Día de los Muertos celebration on Santa Fe’s Art District was a chance for those of all backgrounds to appreciate and celebrate Mexican culture. The environment was extremely welcoming and most everyone seemed to enjoy the fun. While the next Día de los Muertos celebration returns next year, the next First Friday Art Walk will be held on Dec. 7. Most of the studios on Santa Fe Drive are also open to visitors throughout the week. The art walk is an excellent way to unwind, relax and have fun after a long week.
