Day of the Dead Immersive Artist Residency: Speaking, Tasting, Creating — 2 weeks, October 20 to November 3, 2025 — Puebla, Mexico

Immersive Learning Residency Program — Day of the Dead: Speaking, Tasting, Creating

Program Dates: 2 weeks – October 20 to November 3, 2025

Website: https://www.arquetopia.org/day-of-the-dead-residency

E-mail info@arquetopia.org for more information.

Why is the concept of death so integral to our understanding of our experiences? From its profound implications with collectivity, to the grief experienced when losing loved ones, death has consistently been a central question in our shared history. In Mexico, the annual festivities of Day of the Dead occur at the end of October and the beginning of November symbolizing the culmination of the maize cultivation cycle, and the temporary return of deceased relatives and beloved individuals to Earth.

The Immersive Learning Program: Day of the Dead focuses on the significance of the Day of the Dead as a cornerstone of national identity, rooted in indigenous wisdom, and explores its impact on the development of Mexican modern art, as well as its transformation into a secularized element of popular culture. The program examines the performative nature of rituals in Mexico, with a particular focus on the mortuary celebrations. Within the context of this national holiday participants will engage in practical Spanish language lessons, culinary exploration, and hands-on art learning fostering a multidisciplinary approach encompassing art creation, culinary arts, and linguistic practice. Moreover, the program prompts critical inquiry into themes of eternity, nationalism, and identity, challenging preconceived notions surrounding death as a national symbol and questioning its portrayal as a morbid facet of identity construction.

The Arquetopia Immersive Learning Program is a 2-week intensive experience designed to provide competitive professional opportunities for emerging and mid-career artists, curators, art historians, and students aged 20 and above from around the world. This distinctive program offers critical perspectives on the representation of death in Mexico as a foundational element of national identity. By delving into the myths surrounding its origins, the program offers participants a nuanced understanding of the Day of the Dead celebrations. Its objective is to equip participants with the analytical tools necessary to comprehend the performative nature of these rituals, exploring intricate facets such as emotional portrayals, material culture, and the evolving historical significance of death. Participants will also have the opportunity to contextualize their own artistic practices by learning papier mâché techniques directly related to the creation of ofrendas (altars), which are central to the celebration of the Day of the Dead.

PROGRAM INCLUSIONS
This 2-week program includes 8 hours of instruction in Day of the Dead ephemeral art techniques, including paper, installation, and the edible dimension of the altar; as well as an exploration of José Guadalupe Posada’s imagery. Participants will have the opportunity to join guided tours and visits to prominent museums in Puebla, altars, graveyards, or relevant sites. Alongside these artistic endeavors, attendees will engage in 20 hours of Spanish language lessons, divided into 8 hours of grammar, 6 hours of conversation practice, and 6 hours of immersive on-site language practice. They will also embark on food tours, a total of 4-hours, to savor the culinary delights of the region and spend 6 hours on academic visits to museums, altars, graveyards, and other relevant sites. Furthermore, participants will benefit from 2 hours of artistic mentoring sessions. Activities are designed to promote intense creative work and artistic dialogue; therefore, artists are expected to allocate self-directed studio hours as part of their weekly schedule. Reading materials are provided in English and workshop instruction is in Spanish.

Staff Support:

• Each resident artist meets weekly with our directorial and curatorial staff for personalized mentoring, research assistance/resources, project guidance, and critique

Accommodation:

• Furnished, private bedroom
• 24-hour access to the kitchen for participants to prepare their own meals; meals/food are the participants' responsibility
  
• Wireless Internet
• Use of Arquetopia’s common spaces including outdoor terraces
• Shared, serviced (single) bathrooms with modern fixtures and showers
• Housekeeping

Studio Workspace:

• 24-hour access to large and bright, shared art studio with generous natural light
• Personal workspace with large table and wall space
• Some tools provided
• Materials and supplies for the instructional course provided
• Materials and supplies for extended project production are not included but are available for purchase locally

DURATION / TIME PERIOD
Session is 2 weeks, October 20 to November 3, 2025.

HOW TO APPLY

Visit the Arquetopia Foundation website at https://www.arquetopia.org

E-mail us at info@arquetopia.org

Complete and submit the Arquetopia Artist-in-Residence Online Application Form https://www.arquetopia.org/residency-application, following the instructions indicated.

Following selection, applicants are notified immediately via e-mail.

Arquetopia is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our diverse local and international community. Arquetopia’s resident artist and staff backgrounds vary in all aspects. As part of Arquetopia’s mission is to promote diversity, Arquetopia actively fights discrimination by offering access to its programs and activities without regard to race, color, gender or gender expression, national origin, age, religion, creed, or sexual orientation.

Main Website: https://www.arquetopia.org

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