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In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, the Robert and Frances Fullerton Museum of Art (RAFFMA) at Cal State San Bernardino presents Festival de Calaveras.

RAFFMA invited participants to express themselves through art and design by signing up to decorate a calavera, which is an iconic symbol for Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), a Mexican holiday celebrated throughout Mexico, in particular the central and south regions, and by people of Mexican heritage elsewhere. The calavera, which means “skull” in Spanish, is usually an ornately decorated representation of a skull, often featuring flowers, animals and other decorations.

The museum, in partnership with the university’s Association of Latino Faculty, Staff and Students (ALFSS), invited participants to pick up a blank white ceramic calavera and take it home to decorate for 10 days and return completed. Participants had the freedom to express themselves and apply their choice of art to the calavera. Many decorated as a group or family, using this as an opportunity to learn and talk about their cultures and history.

The exhibition includes 84 artists consisting of students, staff, faculty and community members.

All completed calaveras are now showcased in the virtual Festival de Calaveras exhibition. The virtual exhibition is now on display on the RAFFMA website and @RAFFMAcsusb social media.

Calaveras will be auctioned during Día de los Muertos, taking place on Nov. 6, in-person located at the Robert and Frances Fullerton Museum of Art. An RSVP is required for the auction. Register at the 2021 ALFSS Dia de los Muertos RSVP webpage. All proceeds from the auction will go to the ALFSS student scholarship fund.

  • Exhibition Opening (virtual): Opened on Oct. 11
  • Día de los Muertos (in-person): Nov. 6, at 11 a.m. -  4 p.m.
  • Calavera Auction (in-person): Nov. 6, at 1:30 p.m.

View the exhibition at the RAFFMA website.  

For more information, please contact raffma@csusb.edu.

About RAFFMA
The Robert and Frances Fullerton Museum of Art, nationally accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, houses a collection that includes Egyptian antiquities, ceramics and contemporary art, and hosts 10-12 temporary exhibitions a year. Located at California State University, San Bernardino, RAFFMA presents one of the largest public displays of ancient Egyptian art in Southern California.

The museum offers a variety of opportunities providing valuable hands-on work experience and preparation for future museum-related careers for CSUSB students. We are a great location for hosting corporate events, networking events, meetings and social gatherings. It is also a great museum for K-12 school field trips. During the temporary physical closure of RAFFMA due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we bring to you RAFFMA @ Home!

Visit the RAFFMA website for more information.