Students at Benito Juarez Community Academy in Chicago are honoring their heritage and loved ones through the traditional craft of creating calaveras—small skeleton figurines associated with Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead. The project, which takes place in the school’s art room located in the Pilsen neighborhood, sees students shaping wire and papier-mâché to produce these symbolic figures, which are then painted white and detailed with distinctive facial features.
Some completed calaveras will be displayed this October in storefront windows along 18th Street as part of a competition organized by the Pilsen Chamber of Commerce. Approximately 25 to 30 figurines will be showcased in local businesses, connecting the school and community through a shared cultural tradition. The activity is part of broader Hispanic Heritage Month observances, which run annually from September 15 to October 15, celebrating diverse cultural events including Mexican Independence Day and Día de los Muertos.
Luis Alejandro Calvo Velasquez, a 17-year-old student, demonstrated familiarity with the calavera-making process, stating that the project felt natural and intuitive to him. Visual arts teacher Steve Vidal, who has led the calavera workshops for over 20 years, emphasized the educational and cultural value of the project. Vidal noted the recent collaboration with the Pilsen Chamber of Commerce had expanded the reach of the program, culminating in last year’s inaugural Día de los Muertos Window Walk, which brought the figurines into the public sphere.
However, the 2025 celebrations were impacted by increased U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity in the neighborhood during Operation Midway Blitz, which suppressed community turnout and visibility of the displays. Vidal expressed hope that this year’s atmosphere would be more welcoming and encourage greater participation from students and families.
The Pilsen Chamber of Commerce’s co-founder, Javier Yañez, highlighted how the project supports cultural education and community representation. He described the window displays as a means to both preserve traditions and assert identity amidst challenging social conditions.
Individual students brought varied inspirations to their calavera designs. Fourteen-year-old Ayleen Martinez created a figurine resembling entertainer Michael Jackson, incorporating a pose reminiscent of his moonwalk to honor the lasting influence of his music on her life and family. “It reminds me of just how important it is to remember those that were a huge part in our lives,” Martinez said, underscoring the significance of expressing this remembrance through tangible gestures.
Similarly, 14-year-old Crystal Garcia’s calavera pays tribute to her late father, who passed away when she was eight. Her figurine captures a cherished memory of him watching soccer, enjoying a Coca-Cola and eating a torta—moments that reflect the personal connection she continues to feel. Garcia expressed appreciation for the school’s embrace of students’ cultural backgrounds, noting that while individual experiences vary, the shared traditions foster community and continuity.
Through this project, Benito Juarez Community Academy students not only engage creatively but also strengthen ties to their heritage and neighborhood, contributing to the living cultural fabric of Chicago’s Pilsen area.