With colorful cut-paper banners strung from the ceiling and mariachi music playing on the stereo, the Longwood Center for the Visual Arts (LCVA) will whisk families from Farmville to Mexico for one art-filled morning.

On Saturday, Oct. 22, from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., LCVA will host its annual Día de los Muertos Free Family Workshop, with “fantastico” art activities. The event is free and open to the public; children must be accompanied by an adult.

Celebrated around the world, Mexico’s holiday Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) honors the lives of our loved ones, past and present. The holiday also provides opportunities for kids to make maracas, create paper flowers, carve jack o’lanterns and more. With the exception of pumpkins, LCVA will supply everything needed, from snacks to supplies to assistants.

Día de los Muertos is part of a series of Free Family Workshops offered by LCVA. Workshops are designed to bring the family together in an enriching and creative environment to celebrate annual events throughout the year.

LCVA would like to thank Centra Southside Community Hospital for graciously sponsoring the event.

The doors will open at 10:30 a.m. in the LCVA at the intersection of Third and Main streets in historic downtown Farmville.