Colorful skulls, traditional dance, and community connection filled the Vallecito Room on October 21, as Fort Lewis College celebrated Día de los Muertos.
Also known as Day of the Dead, the tradition is rooted in Mesoamerican cultures and later blended with Catholic observances to honor the lives of loved ones who have passed on.
Anthropology professor Mario Barrero and his family joined the festivities, with his son getting his face painted by environmental biology student Quinten Miller. Nearby, psychology majors Leighton Galvonne and Mariano Martínez painted calaveras, adding their own artistic touches to the celebration. Ballet Folclórico performed traditional dances, and Zia Taqueria provided flautas, wedding cookies, and other regional favorites.
Observed from October 31 to November 2, Día de los Muertos celebrates the belief that the spirits of ancestors return to visit the living. At FLC, the event offered a joyful space to honor memory, culture, and community.