Fairmont State art students will participate in the construction of a Day of the Dead installation in the Brooks Gallery October 29-November 2.  They will be assisted by Morgantown artist Penelyn Peterson and Dr. Steve Pavlovic, who is on the FSU faculty.  This is a project brought back for the third time by popular demand on the part of the students.  "For the past two years, students have asked to have another Day of the Dead exhibition.  They enjoyed having the opportunity to honor their family members by contributing to the altar installation.  I am glad to give them that chance," said Curator Marian J. Hollinger. 

Day of the Dead is a chiefly Mexican celebration to honor deceased family members.  In each Mexican household, there is a private altar with pictures of the deceased, together with objects which were special to them.  The souls of the dead are thus invited to be present with the living, and special foods are also associated with the celebration.  In many homes, there is a path of marigold petals leading from the altar to the door, placed there to welcome the souls inside.

Day of the Dead coincides with the religious celebration All Souls' Day, historically a time of remembrance of those who have died.  Students who participate will decorate sugar skulls, a traditional part of the Mexican celebration, make skeletal figures, also a part of the traditional celebration, and will work with Peterson to construct an exhibition of original art to commemorate their families.

Peterson incorporates, in many examples of her own art, figures and symbols which are associated with the Day of the Dead, Mayan art and the mythology of other ancient Central American cultures.  In each instance, her work is highly original and multi-faceted.  She combines humor, social commentary and primordial symbolism which the viewer can "read" on several levels.

Pavlovic, who teaches Special Education at FSU, has, in addition to his Doctorate in Education, an MFA in Art from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.  His work combines humor, symbolism and subtle social commentary.  He will also have a solo exhibition in the Brooks Gallery in January, 2008.

The exhibition will be open during the above dates from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.  The reception will take place from 7-9 p.m. Monday, October 29.  For information, call or e-mail Marian J. Hollinger (304) 367-4300; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it