“Since it was my first time in an art gallery I didn’t know what to expect,” said eighth-grader Jacob Noriega, “The art was trippy because every time you look somewhere it was different.”

On Thursday November 10, the eighth graders from MacArthur Spanish Club went on a field trip to the Museum of Latin American Arts.  They attended the MOLAA so that they can see and experience the Day of the Dead exhibit.

“The day of the dead exhibit was something to look forward to because each altar had a different story to tell which having to do with each sign.” said Andrea Godinez, eighth grader.  

“The students learned about various aspects of the holiday,” wrote Spanish teacher Maria Vicario.

The field trip was in four parts and took the entire day.  “The first part of the field trip we spent learning about the founder of MOLAA.  The second part of the trip was the Argentinian culture; next was the Cuban culture, and last was the day of the dead exhibit,” said Andrea.  

The MacArthur Spanish club raised the money themselves to go on the field trip.  The students work the Halloween dance each year and enough money is made to pay for the following year.  For example, next year’s field trip is already payed for by this year’s Halloween dance.

“We went specifically to see the day of the dead exhibit.” wrote Vicario.  

Day of the dead is a Mexican celebration of ancestors which occur on November 1, and November 2.  On these days families set up altars for their lost family member with multiple items from what the lost family member loved, like their favorite food, or sports memorabilia, and lots of pictures representing them.

“One of the instructors showed us a powerpoint about skulls and the different types, we also learned how to make them.” I saw a lot of famous people’s altars said Jacob.