Self Help Graphics & Art is proud to present its 47th Annual Dia de los Muertos season. This year’s 47th Annual Celebration will be held virtually on Sunday, November 1 at 4:00 p.m. on SHG’s YouTube channel, with live performances curated by The Paramount. Due to the pandemic, the Día de los Muertos Celebration is part of a month-long season of virtual programs and workshops, beginning with the opening of the Ofrendas 2020 exhibition on Thursday, October 8, weekly art workshops in October on YouTube, and Noche de Ofrenda in partnership with Grand Park's Downtown Día de los Muertos Celebration.   47th Annual Commemorative Print Artist and Virtual Exhibition  In the spirit and tradition of Self Help Graphics, this year’s Día de los Muertos exhibition, Ofrendas 2020, is curated by its 47th Annual Commemorative Print Artist, Sandy Rodriguez. Rodriguez’s print, Guadalupe Rodriguez, Autorretrato en el Panteón, 2003, is an homage to the artist's mother, Artist Guadalupe Rodriguez. For this limited edition serigraph, Sandy recreated a self-portrait painting by her mother in 2003. “I am honored to have been invited to guest curate the Dia de los Muertos exhibition with Self Help Graphics for the 47th annual celebration in Los Angeles. We are thrilled to bring together this visionary group of Los Angeles artists spanning generations, perspectives, disciplines, and connections to one of the most important cultural arts organizations in the United States. Collectively, we will be creating ofrendas for our ancestors and loved ones to be reunited during these holiest of days to find strength and push forward in this heartbreaking year amidst a global pandemic ravaging our communities. With the support of our loved ones we will prevail as they have in generations past and solidify connections and personal commitments to social change for better years ahead. Artists are encouraged to meditate on the ritual and history of Dia de los Muertos in Los Angeles, experiment, and reinterpret the traditional symbols and elements for the dead as we have for generations in this place we call home, Los Angeles,” said Rodriguez.    The virtual exhibition opening on Thursday, October 8 will include artists Sandy Rodriguez, Nao Bustamante, Barbara Carrasco, Carolyn Castaño, Enrique Castrejon, Yreina Cervantez, Audrey Chan, Christina Fernandez, Consuelo Flores, Isabelle Lutterodt, Rigo Maldonado, Guadalupe Rodriguez, Shizu Saldamando, Gabriella Sanchez, Devon Tsuno, Sandra de la Loza and Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights. To honor the season and exhibition, SHG will also host an Artist Lab: In the Studio virtual panel discussion on Monday, November 2 with Commemorative Print Artist and Curator, Sandy Rodriguez, along with select artists from the exhibition.   As part of this years’ experience, SHG has teamed up with Ofelia and Rosanna Esparza of Tonalli Studio and burgeoning VR tech company, TecnoLatinx, to transform a past altar created by the Esparza’s into an AR experience.  People will be immersed into the virtual world and able to see select altar elements come to life!  Virtual Workshops  One of the highlights of Self Help Graphics’ Día de los Muertos season are the free art workshops that will stream on its SHG’s YouTube channel weekly in October. These how-to art workshops, developed by SHG teaching artists, will be delivered as new virtual experiences. For the first time in SHG’s history, individuals and families will be able to do these hands-on projects together from the comfort and safety of their own home. No experience is necessary and a supply list will be provided to the public to purchase on their own, prior to the stream date of each workshop.   Virtual workshops include Paper Flowers with Dewey Tafoya on Tuesday, October 6 at 1:00 p.m.; Papel Picado with Daniel Gonzalez on Tuesday, October 13 at 1:00 p.m.; Shoebox Altar with Martha Carrillo on Tuesday, October 20 at 1:00 p.m.; Bike Ofrenda with Sandra de la Loza on Saturday, October 24 at 1:00 p.m., as part of Grand Park's Downtown Día de los Muertos Celebration, and Dia de los Muertos Face Painting with Gabby Claro on Tuesday, October 27 at 1:00 p.m., plus more to be announced!   Noche de Ofrenda in Partnership with Grand Park ‘s Downtown Día de los Muertos  Self Help Graphics & Art will again collaborate with Grand Park in a series of programs this year to honor Noche de Ofrenda (NDO) or Night of Altars (offerings). In lieu of a special one-night event, Noche de Ofrenda will span from October 24–November 4 as part of Grand Park’s Downtown Día de los Muertos with 11 large-scale altar installations produced by artists and community partners representing the losses and causes of this past year, papel picado at The Music Center Plaza steps, and digital ofrendas on The Music Center Plaza LED screens. While Grand Park and The Music Center Plaza are open to the public, all park and Plaza-goers are strictly required to maintain social distancing, including not to cluster in groups, and to wear masks. Signage and markers in the park will assist with reinforcing the critical need for park and Plaza-goers to comply with all prevailing Los Angeles County Department of Public Health requirements. In order to maintain minimal crowds and to help those who wish to engage with this vital ritual and tradition, ample images and video of the installations will be made available on the Self Help Graphics, Grand Park and The Music Center social media channels. Alongside the workshops, this public art installation will enable the public to be inspired by and empowered to bring Día de los Muertos into their homes and other spaces safely by making their own art and ofrendas.   As always, the cornerstone of Noche de Ofrenda is Maestra Ofelia Esparza, and she’ll return with her family to create the Community Altar. Although the public cannot gather in large groups, leave ofrendas on or touch the Community Altar this year, they are encouraged to submit photos of their loved ones through this form by Sunday, October 11, to be displayed on the community altar at Grand Park and digital ofrendas on The Music Center Plaza screens. Grand Park will also have a special Noche de Ofrenda segment during the Self Help Graphics’ virtual Día de los Muertos Celebration on November 1st.   About Self Help Graphics & Art  Since its incorporation in 1973, Self Help Graphics & Art has produced more than 2,000 serigraph editions, including 62 atelier projects and exhibitions all over the world. The organization remains dedicated to the production, interpretation, and distribution of prints and other art media by Chicana/o and Latinx artists; and its multidisciplinary,  intergenerational programs promote artistic excellence and empower community by providing access to working  space, tools, training and beyond. Now, nearly a half century later, SHG continues to foster emerging Chicana/o  and Latinx artists through its world class printmaking practice and supports the role of artists as leaders, both within its organization and the community. For more information, visit our http://www.selfhelpgraphics.com. 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