Downtown Santa Monica, Inc. honors Día de los Muertos with display of La Catrina sculptures along Third Street Promenade
Downtown Santa Monica, Inc. (DTSM) is honoring Día de los Muertos, highlighting the traditional Mexican cultural celebration of life and death, with live entertainment and a display of nine La Catrina sculptures on view throughout three blocks of the Third Street Promenade beginning Friday, October 28 through Wednesday, November 2.
The larger-than-life sculptures are by Los Angeles-based artist Ricardo Soltero and depict La Catrina, one of Día de los Muertos’ most recognizable figures originally created by Mexican illustrator Jose Guadalupe Posada. Santa Monica Ballet Folklorico, will perform on October 30 at 6 pm on the 1300 block of the Promenade.
Soltero’s iconic La Catrina sculptures range up to 14 feet in height and welcome guests to the Promenade in brightly colored traditional Mexican attire inspired by Day of the Dead traditions, Mexican icons and embroidery. La Catrina was first born out of Mexican social satire and has become a well-known figure in celebration of the holiday.
La Catrina sculptures will be on display daily from 10 am to 8 pm, October 28 through November 2 and are viewable along three blocks of the Third Street Promenade. Santa Monica Ballet Folklorico’s performance will take place at 6 pm on October 30 on the 1300 block of the Promenade.
Mexican artist Ricardo Soltero is the director and stage-set designer behind the largest Day of the Dead celebration in the United States, which takes place annually at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Los Angeles. Born in Nayarit, Mexico, Ricardo has introduced color and culture to exhibits and fundraisers throughout the country with papier-mâché, wood, fiberglass, recycled materials and most importantly, his heritage at the forefront of each piece.
Ricardo’s current and ongoing creative project collaborations include: the annual Hollywood Forever Día de los Muertos celebration, Meet Me at the Metro, the 20-year running play of Frida Kahlo with the Synergy Theatre Group, 24th Street Theatre set design, Semblanza Latinoamericana, The Autry Museum, East L.A. Meets Napa, Denver Botanic Gardens, Santa Clarita Valley Festival for Day of the Dead, La Vista Memorial Park’s annual Día de los Muertos celebration, UNICEF’s Annual Gala, and the Metropolitan Fashion Show.
