Celebrating life through death

El Dia de los Muertos " or Day of the Dead " is a multicultural celebration of life through death.

From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, the Nevada State Museum will celebrate the family holiday, offering participants the opportunity to learn to deal with death in a healthy way by celebrating the lives of loved ones who have died.

Increasing in popularity, the holiday is celebrated in schools, homes, community centers and museums across the nation.

"We really wanted to reach out to a new audience," said Deborah Stevenson, curator of education at the Nevada State Museum. "Twenty-five percent of the population of Nevada is Latino. Many of them don't know what a valuable resource we are."

The museum begins its activities with stories by Elisa Seiler of the Carson City Library at 10 a.m. At 11 a.m., Latina artist Dolores Archuleta-Henderson will share her personal creative journey through the presentation, "Art Comes to Life through Day of the Dead." Archuleta-Henderson is a prolific Carson City artist whose creative explorations include sculpture, beadwork, painting, carving, art wear and jewelry design.

"Many Latinos were born here and have not had the opportunity to celebrate it," Stevenson said. "It is a sweet way to ease and face difficult times in one's life. They might have lost a family member, pet, movie star, rock star or football player and have to figure out how to deal with it."

Stevenson said the museum began the celebration after interviewing Latino community leaders and talking with other museums around the country, asking what might be the best program for Nevada.

"It's an incredible coming together. They're here for crafts, paper cutting and dolls."

Admission fees are $5 adults, $3 seniors and free to children 17-younger. The museum is at 600 N. Carson St. Entry is on the south side of the building, on Robinson Street.

The museum is open daily 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For information, call 687-4810, ext. 237.

- Contact Rhonda Costa at rcosta@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1223.