Linda Vallejo: Earth's Altar Gold, 2008 Digital prints of original paintings and photographic images, wooden structure, gold leaf, Styrofoam, Mylar, Plexiglas, Astroturf, plastic beads, and yarn

Dearly Departed artists are: Virginia Aguero, Jose Benavides, Jorge Rodriguez Eagar, Lupe Flores, Pamela Tarpy, Vicki Gaia, Valarie James, Antonia Gallegos, Catherine Hammond, Diane Howell, Ruben Maqueda, Ellen Hull Martin, Scott McNeill, Juan Olalde, Rosie Villegas-Smith, Mary Lou Stewart, Yvonne Villareal-Torres, Hank Tusinski, Linda Vallejo, Steven Velasquez, Rose Warner, and schoolchildren from Galveston Elementary School.

Through wall pieces and installation work created for Dearly Departed, Vision Gallery visitors will take part in a tradition that dates back thousands of years. The ritual, called Dia de los Muertos, or, The Day of the Dead, is celebrated in Mexico and parts of the United States. It is characterized by the traditional Mexican blend of ancient and contemporary features used to remember the dearly departed and to celebrate life.

Many of the artists chosen for the Dearly Departed exhibition at Vision Gallery will build on this tradition to honor themes and people important to us all. Yvonne Villareal-Torres' ofrenda, or altar, will focus on the death of the ocean. Pamela Tarpy and Vicki Gaia will honor women, such as Rosa Parks, who have made an impact on the world. Rose Warner and Diane Howell will focus on family pets who have passed. Virginia Aguero will pay homage to Dr. A.J. Chandler, the founder of Chandler, Ariz.

The Dearly Departed artist roster includes three California artists - Lupe Flores, Steven Velasquez and Linda Vallejo - and one Tucson artist, Hank Tusinski.

Vision Gallery
80 S. San Marcos Place, Chandler, AZ
(408) 917-6859
www.visiongallery.org/