Art display has personal theme

As certain churches were planning an All Saints’ Day service Sunday, Creston High School arts students’ work debuted for the same reason Friday at Creston’s Restored Depot.

Students displayed their work in honor of Day of the Dead, to remember family and friends who are deceased.

“It’s personal,” said Creston High art instructor Bailey Fry-Schnormeier. “Some of the students were hesitant to do this.”

Fry-Schnormeier was understanding of the response as death can be strong emotion for some or participating students may not have known someone deep enough to feature them in their work.

“This meant a lot to me,” she said about some students’ response knowing the project’s intent.

The annual show by Creston High arts students follows the Spanish Dia de muertos, which translates to day of the dead. It is a holiday traditionally celebrated Nov. 1 and 2. Other regions may use other days. The observance is recognized in Mexico and is emphasized as a time of celebration rather than mourning. Sunday was All Saints’ Day in the Christian church, a day commemorating all the saints of the church and congregation members honor their deceased loved ones. Churches usually acknowledge All Saint’s Day the first Sunday after Halloween.

Greens and Things provided marigolds which are common flowers used for the day of the dead celebration. The school’s Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) provided bread, another common addition for the holiday.

Fry-Schnormeier hopes the art project influenced the participating students to learn more about their family connections and their ancestors. She said some of the people who viewed the art Friday were moved by the work.

“There were reactions from the people who came in,” she said of those who knew the people in the work. The display will be available to view for the rest of the month during Restored Depot’s normal hours.