Calaveras (Sugar Skulls)

The Downey Theatre is excited to partner this year with the traditional Mexican artist Diego Marcial Rios, who will be holding a live & interactive “Sugar Skull” workshop for the Downey Dia de los Muertos Art Festival ~ En La Casa. If you missed this workshop, please visit Diego Marcial Rios’ website for other workshops and events.

Click here for more information about Maestro Diego Marcial Rios

Sugar Skulls

Sugar skulls are a traditional folk art from Southern Mexico used to celebrate Day of the Dead. Mounds of colorful sugar skulls are sold by Indian vendors in open air village markets during the week preceding the holiday. Spirits of the dead are welcomed back to their homes with beautifully decorated altars made by their loved ones. Sugar skulls, marigolds, candles, incense and special foods adorn home altars.

Families take the flowers and sugar skulls to the cemetery to decorate the tombs on November 2. sugar skulls are colorfully decorated with icing, pieces of bright foil, colored sugars and usually bear the name of the deceased loved one being honored. They are easy to make by children and adults.

Here are some helpful links to purchase, make, and decorate your own sugar skulls!

Make a large plaster skull

Buy Sugar Skull Kits

Teacher Tips!

Buy Chocolate Skull Molds