Day of the Dead figures by Diane Kurzyna

Ruby has taught this Day of the Dead-inspired recycled art workshop at South Puget Sound Community College, Nova Middle School, St Michael’s School (6th grade), and Timberland Regional Library (several locations, all ages/open to the public). Workshop entails creating a Day of the Dead-inspired skeleton figure out of chenille stems, fabric scraps and other recycled materials. In the spirit of Day of the Dead, the project is a way to honor deceased ancestors and loved ones.  It is also a reminder of our own mortality and that death is the great equalizer: all walks of life, everyone dies. So create an archetype (like “The Bride”, “The Groom”, etc), an homage to a deceased celebrity or historical figure, or perhaps a self-portrait.  See more pics of these Day of the Dead-inspired recycled art figurines HERE

Ruby also taught a more advanced Day of the Dead-inspired figurine workshop at Avanti High School, making the figures out of white coat hanger wire, cardboard tubes, styrofoam skulls, popsicle sticks, fabric scraps and other stuff. Photos HERE

Day of the Dead figurines Avanti High School