Illinois Valley Community College is embracing cultural traditions with its Day of the Dead celebration, starting October 1st. The lobby of both the Main Campus and Ottawa Center will be adorned with vibrant altars and memorials from October 2nd through November 2nd. Community members are encouraged to contribute photos, keepsakes, and non-perishable food items to honor their deceased loved ones. Organizers, including art instructor Shannon Slaight, highlight the healing and communal power of this ancient tradition. The event, supported by the Hispanic Leadership Team and other groups, invites all to partake in celebrating and remembering the lives of the departed. Contributions can be retrieved after the celebration concludes on November 4th.
The Celebration of Día de los Muertos (in Spanish) is widely observed in Mexico on November 1st and 2nd, part of a 3,000-year-old tradition of paying respects and remembering friends and family members who have died. Central to the festive tribute are decorative and brightly colored altars and memorials covered in flowers, photos, keepsakes, and candles.
“We’re excited to see everyone, regardless of cultural background, engage in this event, and we hope it will always be an amazing yearly celebration,” said Shannon Slaight, art instructor and one of the organizers. Slaight, who is not Hispanic, said her participation helps heal some emotional wounds. “I have suffered some great losses. I lost my little sister, and I use this as a great way to remember her and keep her spirit alive. By helping others participate in this event, I feel it can help more people experience healing and happiness.”
Contributed items can be picked up at the Main Campus and Ottawa Center front desks beginning November 4th.
The event is sponsored by the Hispanic Leadership Team, The Illinois Valley Visual Arts Club, and The Project Success Leadership Team. For any questions contact Sara Escatel at [email protected] or (815) 224-0355 or Shannon Slaight at [email protected] or 815-224-0351.