Spanish Field Trip to Figge Art Museum
by O'Brien Laura
November 08, 2006
On Thursday, November 2 the Spanish students from levels II, III, and IV traveled to the new Figge Art Museum in Davenport to visit the Dia de los Muertos exhibit. In Mexico, Dia de los Muertos or All Soul's Day is a day to remember and honor the dead. To pay respect, many families design alters in their homes which are decorated with photographs, flowers, candles, favorite foods and drink of the loved ones. The students had the opportunity to see examples of alters designed by local Quad City Latinos and to hear an informative presentation about the meaning and symbolism behind them.
After visiting the alters, the students divided into groups and were given tours of the museum's permanent collections of Mexican colonial art and Haitian art as well as several pieces by Grant Wood (American Gothic). Before leaving, there was time to explore the museum and some of the temporary exhibits by visiting artists such as actor Martin Mull (Roseanne and Sabrina, the Teenage Witch).
Upon leaving the museum, we headed off to a wonderful lunch at Carlos O'Kelly's which was topped off by a treat at Whitey's. Stay tuned for more field trip stories later this year.
