San Diego Unified student artists honor the dead — grandparents, pets and Freddie Mercury
By Lori Weisberg | The San Diego Union-Tribune
Artwork from hundreds of students from 30 schools in the San Diego Unified School District, including this display from Correia Middle School to honor Dia de los Muertos in Old Town State Historic Park. (Nelvin C. Cepeda / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Tucked away in a couple of buildings in Old Town are rows upon rows of colorful artwork, which is not especially unusual for the state historic park. But this exhibit is not the creation of professionals, but instead by budding San Diego student artists, as young as 5 and 6.
Masks and mini altars, family trees, hand-sewn patches, and brightly colored spirit creatures, inspired by Día de los Muertos, have been handcrafted by hundreds of San Diego Unified School District students, many of whom used their art to remember close family members, favorite pets, and even pop culture heroes, as diverse as Queen band member Freddie Mercury and NBA star Kobe Bryant.
The artwork is currently on exhibit at the former Captain Fitch’s Mercantile building and U.S. House in Old Town, and a special community celebration was held Saturday afternoon that helped draw attention to the Day of the Dead-inspired art project representing 30 different schools, from elementary-age students to high schoolers. The exhibit runs through Nov. 2.
This display from Knox Middle School, along with artwork from hundreds of students from 30 schools in the San Diego Unified School District is on display to honor Dia de los Muertos in Old Town State Historic Park. (Nelvin C. Cepeda / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
“The Día de los Muertos celebration is one of the biggest celebrations that we have in our city, and for our students to be part of that, I think that’s very significant,” said Cat Chiu Phillips, a visual and media arts resource teacher who helped coordinate the special exhibit and art project. “It’s not only about their presence, but they’re also connecting with their community, so that’s a big deal for our students to have that level of engagement.”
Zamorano Fine Arts Academy artwork is on display to honor Dia de los Muertos in Old Town State Historic Park. (Nelvin C. Cepeda / The San Diego Union-Tribune)
Read the entire article and see more pictures from the San Diego Union Tribune: https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2025/10/25/san-diego-unified-student-artists-honor-the-dead-grandparents-pets-and-freddie-mercury/