A Look Back At The Pullman Dia De Los Muertos Walk
By Marielle Shaw in Arts & Entertainment on Nov 5, 2013 8:10PM
One of the things we love about Dia de Los Muertos is the sense of community and the celebration of life. This year’s Pullman State Historic Site Altar Walk was right in step with those tenets of the holiday.
While there were some initial hiccups, once we got our maps and started our walk we had a great time. Ofrendas are meant to uphold tradition while at the same time specifically honoring the person or people who were lost. Each ofrenda should tell a story about the dead and oftentimes includes a story about the family left behind.
Each altar had a unique story and we were happy to hear them from the homeowners who greeted us. Libby Anson is an art therapist who had a colorful altar to honor the lives of children killed in school shootings. She talked about the power of art and her altar featured many children’s toys and small art projects, weaving the healing power of art into a remembrance of the victims of such tragedies.
Sara Joy Liles shared a tri-generational story about her family house. Her ofrenda featured photorealistic portraits of her grandparents and blended her German heritage with traditional Mexican trappings. She spoke of the way her grandfather used to eat onions like apples and her journey from art teacher to third generation pipefitter. I left the house feeling like I’d really gotten to know her, if just a little bit.
Local artist Tristan Wolf Campagna took interpretation from a galaxy far far away and it was a treat to see his elaborate Star Wars-themed setup. The children of the Strzechowski family dedicated their altar to the pets they loved and missed. At the Brochu/Misler residence, I was fascinated with the stories of archaeological digs in Syria and what the troubled area was like on a day-to-day basis. It was dedicated to the victims of the violence in Syria while also celebrating and traditions of the people there, and I was able to focus on Syrian beauty and culture rather than focus on the tragedy that has befallen the area.
Walking through Pullman on a cloudy fall day is already a treat with bright foliage creating a picture perfect scene against long rows of red brick houses. The Altar Walk provided a chance to further explore modern Pullman while becoming acquainted with its past which was invaluable. The reception in the old factory complex had a homey block party type feel and offered an opportunity to explore more of the neighborhood's history with some of the other attendees. A beautiful ofrenda honoring George Pullman had photos of the factory when it was active, and there were artifacts and machines scattered throughout as we warmed up with food and drinks.
The reception and the event were not as well-attended as I had hoped, but I encourage you to take some time out and visit Pullman. It feels like time traveling without the need of a TARDIS. Tours of the area are offered every first and third Sunday through November. The historic Florence Hotel is also set to re-open in the next year.