Dia de los Muertos angel craft with La Catrina skeleton face and decorated paper cone dress
La Catrina Gallery

La Catrina Art Process Gallery

Honoring José Guadalupe Posada’s Legacy Through Student Sculpture

A Step-by-Step Journey: Creating Día de los Muertos Art in the Classroom

Building the armature

Building the Foundation: Creating the wire and foil armature

Skeleton arms detail

Skeleton Arms: Wire or pipe cleaners can be used for the skeleton arms

Material Options: For the armature base, use aluminum foil, crumpled newspaper, or wire mesh. Arms and limbs work well with pipe cleaners, floral wire, or coat hangers. For layering, choose papier-mâché (newspaper strips with flour paste), plaster gauze strips, or Model Magic clay. Cardboard or wood bases provide stability. Decorate with acrylic paints, tissue paper, ribbon, lace, sequins, feathers, or fabric scraps. Each material offers different textures and learning opportunities!

Work in progress

Work in Progress: Layering papier-mâché to build form

Painted Catrina

Adding Color: Vibrant paints bring personality to our Catrina

Detailed Catrina

Intricate Details: Each pattern tells a story of celebration

La Calavera Catrina finished sculpture

La Calavera Catrina: A finished student sculpture celebrating Día de los Muertos

Gallery display

The Gallery: A celebration of creativity and culture

A Teacher’s Guide to Día de los Muertos