The Museum of Art | Fort Lauderdale, Nova Southeastern University, in conjunction with Puppet Network, LLC, is celebrating the Aztec and Latin American holiday “Day of the Dead,” as well as the Museum’s two current Latin American exhibitions on Saturday, Oct. 30. Museum visitors dressed as their favorite deceased artist or “Day of the Dead” figures will enjoy free admission that day. At 3:30 p.m., giant Halloween puppets created by the Puppet Network will emerge at the Museum.
The puppets will play a part in the Museum’s celebration of its two Latin art exhibitions, Latin American Art from the Collection of Pearl and Stanley Goodman and Recent Acquisitions from the Museum’s Latin American Collection including works by Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, Wifredo Lam, Benjamín Cañas, Carlos Betancourt, and many others.
At 5 p.m. the puppets will assemble at the Museum and walk in a giant puppet parade, traveling west to SW 1st Ave., then north to the new FAT Village ARTS District at NW 5th Street, where revelers will experience a giant Day of the Dead exhibition.
“Day of the Dead,” also referred to as “All Souls Day,” is a 3000-year-old Aztec tradition. On this day, it is believed that the living can meet departed ancestors face-to-face and celebrate their time together.
The Fort Lauderdale celebration is the brainchild of local artist and puppet master Jim Hammond, owner of Puppet Network. The creative studio focuses on the production and design of puppets, costumes, scenery and theatrical spectacles for a variety of clients throughout South Florida. Since 1997, Hammond has been working with the Museum of Art, producing original productions, working with the curatorial staff to develop puppet-related exhibitions, and teaching puppet and mask classes for docents, adults and children; he also produced a major international Puppet Festival throughout the summer of 2000.
Those who wish to join the giant puppet parade are asked to dress in costume and converge at the Museum of Art no later than 4:45 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 30.
WHEN:
Saturday, Oct. 30
All Day: Wine & Coffee Specials All Day in the Museum Café
1-5 p.m.: Expect strange creatures and happenings at Museum of Art | Fort Lauderdale
3:30 p.m.: Giant Puppets emerge at Museum of Art | Fort Lauderdale
5 p.m.: Day of the Dead Giant Puppet Parade through downtown Fort Lauderdale
WHERE:
Museum of Art | Fort Lauderdale
One East Las Olas Boulevard at Andrews Avenue
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
954.525.5500