Mark your calendar for Friday, October 18, when Mango Tango Art Gallery transforms into a swirl of color, candles, and creativity for our Day of the Dead Fundraiser. This lively evening blends art, culture, and community spirit — all to benefit the Virgin Islands Bar Foundation’s Moot Court Scholarship Program, which helps local students pursue their dreams in law and civic leadership.
Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos) is often mistaken for a somber occasion, but in truth, it’s a joyful celebration of memory and connection — a time to honor those who’ve passed with music, laughter, flowers, and art. At Mango Tango, we’re embracing that energy island-style: inviting artists and guests to come together for an evening of vibrant works, good company, and giving back.
Here’s a look at some of the customs and symbolism behind this beloved celebration:
Ofrendas & Altars
Central to Día de los Muertos are ofrendas — altars built in homes, cemeteries, or public spaces, dedicated to specific departed loved ones. These altars typically incorporate:
Photographs or portraits
Marigolds (cempasúchil), whose bright color and scent are said to attract spirits
Favorite foods and drinks of the departed
Water to quench thirst
Candles for light
Papel picado (cut paper banners) representing wind
Incense (copal)
Personal mementos or objects meaningful to the person being honored
Together, these elements represent the four or five classical elements (earth, water, wind, fire) and invite conversation across worlds.
Calaveras & La Catrina
One of the most iconic visual motifs is the calavera (skull) — often rendered as sugar skulls (calaveras de azúcar), painted or decorated, and used both as offerings and as festive artwork.
Parades, Music & Cemetery Visits
During Día de los Muertos (typically from October 31 to November 2), communities hold parades, processions, and gatherings in cemeteries. Families clean and decorate graves, bring offerings, and gather for music, storytelling, and celebration.
Duality & Continuity
A foundational concept is the duality of life and death — that they are two sides of the same coin. Death is not the end, but a return, a continuation. This view invites a celebratory, rather than mournful, remembrance.
Frida Kahlo: A Spirit in the Celebration
Few artists embody the spirit of blending cultural identity, personal pain, and bold symbolism as Frida Kahlo. Her life and work make her a natural figure to evoke in a Day of the Dead–inspired art fundraiser.
In 1938, Kahlo painted Girl with Death Mask, showing a young (possibly a self-portrait) wearing a skull mask, holding a marigold. The painting ties her personal narrative to Day of the Dead symbolism: the mask, the flower, the presence of the unseen.
In her broader body of work, Kahlo often explored the tension between life and death — suffering and resilience. Ghostly or skeletal motifs, vivid flora, symbolic animals, and portraits of pain and transcendence are recurring.
VI Bar Foundation Moot Court Fundraiser
All proceeds benefit the Virgin Islands Bar Foundation’s Moot Court Competition, which awards $12,500 in scholarships annually to participating high school students. The program helps young people build confidence, develop public speaking skills, and spark a passion for the study of law. You can read more about it here: VI BAR FOUNDATION MOOT COURT
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