Students investigate how La Catrina and El Catrín can communicate memory, identity, and cultural tradition through handmade dolls designed for a real public audience in Old Town. They develop skills in sketching, proportion, costume design, figure pose, and visual storytelling while creating a paired set of dolls with symbolic details for the Calavera Walk exhibition. Through weekly gallery walks, sticky-note critique, artist statements, and revision, students strengthen cultural understanding, craftsmanship, collaboration, and reflective decision-making. Working with a local gallery partner, they curate work with labels, lighting, and visitor flow so their final pieces shape how families and community members experience Día de los Muertos.

Students will design and construct a paired La Catrina and El Catrín doll set that communicates symbolism, character, and story through sketching, proportion, costume design, figure pose, and crafted details. They will develop and revise an artist statement and exhibit label that express personal, cultural, and artistic perspective while showing accurate understanding of Día de los Muertos traditions for a public audience. Through weekly gallery walks, sticky-note critique, and reflection comparing early sketches to final work, students will use feedback to improve craftsmanship, cultural accuracy, emotional expression, and visual storytelling. They will also collaborate with peers and an Old Town gallery partner to curate an exhibition layout, lighting, and visitor flow that strengthens audience understanding.

Students will create research notes and symbolism boards, concept sketches, pose studies, costume plans, and an artistic statement that explains the personal and cultural perspective behind their La Catrina and El Catrín designs. Throughout the project, they will produce armature prototypes, in-progress doll forms, exhibition labels, and weekly revision evidence based on sticky-note feedback from gallery walks focused on craftsmanship, cultural accuracy, and emotional expression. By the end, each student will complete a pair of handmade La Catrina and El Catrín dolls with detailed costumes, posed figures, and symbolic objects ready for the Calavera Walk exhibition at Old Town Gallery. Students will also submit a short artist reflection comparing their first concept sketch to the final dolls and noting specific improvements in technique, cultural understanding, and visual storytelling.

Open with a Calavera Kickoff Night where students rotate through a mini gallery tour of Día de los Muertos images, symbols, and doll examples, then discuss what makes a La Catrina or El Catrín feel culturally grounded and emotionally expressive. Next, give pairs a 10-minute doll pose and costume design challenge using quick sketching and simple materials so they immediately practice proportion, gesture, and visual storytelling. Close with the essential question and a reveal of the Old Town Gallery exhibition opportunity, including photos or a short visit from the gallery owner or event coordinator to frame the work for a real public audience.

Host a public Calavera Walk at Old Town Gallery where students curate their La Catrina and El Catrín doll pairs with display labels, symbolic objects, and artist statements that explain cultural meaning, design choices, and revision from first sketch to final piece. Students work with a gallery owner or event coordinator to plan layout, lighting, and visitor flow, then guide families and community members through the exhibit to practice clear, empathetic communication. Include a structured viewing path and short student-led talks or demonstrations about pose, costume, and symbolism so visitors understand how the dolls tell a story. Conclude with a feedback station where guests leave comments and questions that students can use in a final reflection on craftsmanship, cultural understanding, and visual storytelling.