Teachers and students from the Municipal Center for the Arts (CMA) are preparing stunning artistic installations for Mazatlán’s traditional Día de Muertos celebration — including a five-meter-tall Catrina that will soon grace Plaza Machado.
The Institute of Culture, Tourism and Art of Mazatlán announced that this collective effort has become a formative experience, combining artistic practice, teaching, and teamwork.
Miguel Flores, a teacher at the institution, shared that this year he coordinated the restoration of the large Catrina, originally created years ago and now being brought back to life by students.
“We restored a preexisting Catrina — repapered and rebuilt it since it was slightly damaged. My role was to teach students how to properly apply papier-mâché, prepare the base, and sculpt the figure to give it strength and presence,” he explained.
As part of the preparations for the Día de Muertos celebration and the traditional callejoneada (street parade) on Saturday, November 1, 2025, Flores emphasized that such projects allow students to learn through practice and overcome their fear of large-scale formats.
“It helps them gain confidence, solve problems related to structure, color, and proportion, and understand how sculpture can be simplified for greater visual impact,” he added.
Among the upcoming features revealed by the Institute of Culture are floral headpieces and skull ornaments adorned with marigolds and monarch butterflies, symbols deeply representative of Michoacán and Mexico, said Jasmine Liliana González, one of the participating students.
Meanwhile, Abril Celeste explained that this year’s theme centers on harmony and hope — a message brought to life through the collaboration of all CMA students.
Another student, Carlos David, highlighted the value of design, perseverance, and cultural identity reflected in the project.
“Through these voices, the Día de Muertos project at the CMA emerges as both an educational and artistic platform, where creativity becomes a tool for learning. Each piece, color, and brushstroke represents not only the students’ technical skill but also their ability to work together, adapt, and turn challenges into art,” the report states.
📅 When and where will the Día de Muertos callejoneada take place?
This Saturday, November 1, 2025, the traditional celebration will unfold through the Historic Center of Mazatlán, featuring a series of altars and artistic displays that visitors can explore — beginning at Plaza Machado.