The Center Adjusts Its Dia Celebration
Butterflies will create a visual voice of the strength and connection in our community
Sonoma, California. The Sonoma Community Center will host its annual Día de Muertos Altar Lighting on Saturday, November 1. As part of the tradition, two public altars will be created, inviting community members to contribute photographs in a collective tribute to loved ones who have passed. The centerpiece of the event is the striking 12-foot public altar, created by local sculptor Jim Callahan, featured in the front garden. This year, the Center will also feature a display of handmade butterflies that signify the hopes and dreams of our community.
The Center has made the difficult decision to cancel the other planned festivities that have become synonymous with our Dia de Muertos free community celebration. We made this decision after consulting with community members and in acknowledgment of the uncertainty and fear in our community and across our country.
“Día de Muertos is a celebration of love and tradition, where we honor our ancestors and keep their spirit alive through stories, food, and memory,” said Gerardo Diaz, Bilingual Engagement Coordinator for the Center. “Right now, Latinos across this country are struggling. We see families separated, we feel the weight of discrimination, and too often our voices are pushed aside.”
This year, the Center will introduce a special butterfly display. Our butterfly exhibit features hundreds of butterflies colored by our diverse community with handwritten dreams and wishes for our collective future. The butterflies symbolize resilience, beauty, hope, and migration, and are a representation of our connection to each other.
Sonoma residents are invited to take part by coloring their own butterfly. The butterflies are available from the Sonoma Community Center office in Room 210, the Sonoma Valley Community Health Center at 19270 Sonoma Highway, and La Luz Center at 17560 Greger Street. Butterflies may be decorated at home and returned to the Center by Saturday, October 25th, to be included in the display.
“It is important to recognize those in our community who are living in fear and uncertainty. We hope that the butterflies will be a visual representation of people’s dreams and the unity of our community,” said Vanessa Glamore, Executive Director of the Center. “We understand that this year’s event may be difficult for many, and we wanted a way to honor these feelings and represent them with art.”
Themed classes offer an engaging way to explore the traditions and significance of Día de Muertos. These workshops are taught bilingually in English and Spanish, ensuring accessibility for the entire community. Family-friendly classes include Pan de Muerto on Friday, October 24; Papel Picado (cut paper flags) on Saturday, October 25; and Sugar Skulls on Wednesday, October 29. For adults, Jose Martinez will lead a bilingual Dia de Muertos-themed Paint Night on Thursday, October 30.
The Día de Muertos Altar Lighting will take place at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 1, at the Center. The community is invited to join us in remembering those who have passed at the public altar, viewing the Community Butterfly Exhibit, and visiting the Center’s Gallery 212 featuring the art of Adrián Arias.
Information and class registrations can be found at SonomaCommunityCenter.org or by calling 707-938-4626. The deadline to submit a photo for inclusion on the altar has passed, but community members are invited to add photos of their loved ones to the altar at any time once it’s installed.
About Sonoma Community Center
The Sonoma Community Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1953 to serve the communities of Sonoma Valley with the mission of cultivating a vibrant community through extraordinary creative, cultural, and learning experiences. Originally built as the Sonoma Grammar School, which opened in 1916, the Center is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Community – Innovation – Creativity – Inclusion – Leadership
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Media Contact:
Vanessa Glamore Rognlien, Executive Director
Sonoma Community Center
707-931-4166
[email protected]
