Happy Thanksgiving from the IndyGoGirls

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the

highest appreciation is not to utter words,

but to live by them.
John Fitzgerald Kennedy

Broad Ripple Village

The Indianapolis Art Center

El Dia de los Muertos means The Day of the Dead.

It is a custom with roots in the Mexican community. The name is a bit of a misnomer as it is actually, in part, a celebration of the circle of life. The Indianapolis Art Center is hosting the community-based

exhibit as it has every year since 2000.

The color and festivity of this exhibit is evident upon entering the

front portico of the center.

The colorful banners, tissue-paper decorations called

estampas or papel picado, hang from the ceiling.

The focus of the main gallery centers on the tradition of the altar to honor the deceased. Each unique altar is a personal remembrance of a departed loved one.

According to Wikipedia: "People go to cemeteries to communicate with the souls of the departed, and build private altars, containing the favorite foods and beverages, as well as photos and memorabilia, of the departed. The intent is to encourage visits by the souls, so that the souls will hear the prayers and the comments of the living directed to them. Celebrations can take a humorous tone, as celebrants remember funny events and anecdotes about the departed."

Outside, in the center's ARTSPARK, you can walk the leaf-filled grounds, overlooking the White River, and view a display of smaller altars.

The Indianapolis Art Center holds various exhibitions throughout the year and has a wide range of art classes which are offered to the public. While visiting the center you can walk past the working studios and watch artists creating their works. You can also view their completed works and purchase items in the center's Basile Studio Shop.

Visit their website: http://www.indplsartcenter.org/.

In keeping with the Mexican theme of the Art Center's exhibit,

we had lunch a few blocks away at La Piedad.

The Mexican food was very good, the service was great and the atmosphere was perfect--a little noisy to drown out The Girls as we laughed and talked our way through lunch.

Photo Credit: The San Felipe Animal Rescue website

Artist: Andrena Joyce

"The boundaries which divide Life from Death are at best shadowy and vague. Who shall say where the one ends, and where the other begins?"

Edgar Allan Poe