ZENA RUIZ

Sugar skull decorating is an offering practice to honor and welcome loved ones who have passed into the land of the dead. This practice is offered during the Mexican holiday, Día de los Muertos, where it is believed that those remembered can into the land of the living to visit loved ones and celebrate life.

This will take place in my home in North Braddock where participants will learn how to make sugar skulls out of sugar and use icing and small adornments to dedicate a skull to a loved one who has passed. Participants will learn the history of this practice, write a short poem for their dedication and create sugar skulls that will be used for the annual sugar skull decorating event held in Braddock in late October.

Duration: 2-3 hours

Accommodates: 2-4 people

Location: North Braddock

Zena Ruiz is a Chicana artist/healer and community pollinator from Houston who specializes in traditional Mexican herbal and healing arts. Zena is based in North Braddock, Pa where they serve as a Council Member, work in grassroots organizing around violence intervention and prevention and steward garden spaces.