Students investigate how art can carry memory, identity, and cultural tradition by creating a layered family tree altar that honors a loved one with care and intention. Through story sharing, mixed-media making, critique, revision, and a public exhibition, they learn to curate symbols, images, and objects that communicate personal and cultural meaning to an audience. The experience connects studio practice to Día de los Muertos traditions in Old Town San Diego and asks students to present both visual work and an artist statement that shows artistic growth.

Students will curate and create a layered mixed-media altar in a box that uses portraits, family tree imagery, symbols, color meaning, labels, and meaningful objects to communicate a loved one’s story with clarity and care. They will analyze how Día de los Muertos traditions, local history, and museum artifacts shape artistic choices, then apply that understanding in an artist statement and exhibition talk. Students will strengthen communication and collaboration through story circles, peer critique, sketch sharing, and revision, using feedback to refine both the altar and the meaning it conveys. They will also practice critical thinking by selecting and organizing visual evidence that helps viewers understand personal, cultural, and community connections.

Students create a series of project artifacts: story-circle notes, rapid altar thumbnail sketches from the sketch swap, symbol and color studies, mixed-media portrait drafts, label designs, and draft artist statements. The main product is a layered family tree altar in a box that includes portraits, symbols, patterns, color choices, written labels, and meaningful objects that honor a loved one’s story. Students also produce a final artist statement and a short exhibition talk explaining how their choices communicate memory, identity, care, and cultural understanding. Near the end, they prepare a nearly finished altar and rehearsal talk for peer critique and revision before the public showcase.

Begin with a guided visit or virtual walk of Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, where museum staff share local Día de los Muertos traditions and show artifacts, images, and altar details students can study for meaning. Back in class, hold a story circle where students share a memory of a loved one in small groups, then do a sketch swap to trade ideas for symbols, colors, patterns, and objects that could honor that person’s story. Students finish the launch by creating 3–4 rapid altar thumbnails in their sketchbooks and posting one idea they want feedback on, grounding the project in memory, identity, and care from day one.

Host a public Día de los Muertos showcase at Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, where each student displays their layered family tree altar in a box with clear labels, mixed-media portraits, and meaningful objects. Invite museum staff, families, peers, and community members to circulate through the exhibit while students give short prepared talks explaining how their symbols, images, and design choices honor a loved one’s story and connect to local traditions. Create a simple gallery guide or QR code artist statement for each altar so guests can engage more deeply with the memory, identity, and care communicated in the work. Include a final celebration moment where visitors leave written reflections or appreciation notes for students about what they learned or felt from the altars.