HISTORY

18 years ago local artist, educator, poet and activist, Vibiana Aparicio Chamberlin began an annual Dia De Los Muertos solo exhibition at Zona Rosa Caffe. After a decade of solo exhibitions at Zona, she invited artist, designer and daughter-in-law, Karen Walker Chamberlin, to participate and in the exhibit. Karen began curating and included her two children (Vibiana’s grandchildren) in the family oriented exhibition as well as local working artists. It seemed a natural progression for the nature of the family oriented tradition of Dia De Los Muertos to include family and friends. Karen and Vibiana later reached out to local professional artists as well as art teachers and students at Pasadena City College and Art Center. As Karen’s children reached elementary school age, she began working with her children’s classes on art projects to include in the exhibit and organized a small reception for the class in the alley at Zona Rosa Caffe. Karen and Vibiana wanted to expand the exhibit to bring this event to life and recreate the experience that they themselves had experienced first hand in Oaxaca, Mexico and Mexico City. The reception included the art exhibit, two traditional altars, fresh marigolds, traditional Mexican food made by Vibiana and art workshops for the children. As Karen’s children advanced in grade level, so did the number of students that began to participate. The event became an anticipated tradition among the young artists and teachers continued creating artwork for the event as part of their own curriculum and submitted them in the art exhibit. At the 16th annual event, the artists and altars were spilling out of the alley at Zona Rosa Caffe onto the sidewalk. It was clear that this small family event, now drawing over 200 people to the artist reception, had grown into a community event and needed to expand it’s venue and budget. The 17th annual Dia De Los Muertos artist reception was held at the Pasadena Playhouse Courtyard and was funded by Blue Milagro Artists. Over 300+ artists exhibited work in the gallery and 600+ people attended the artist reception at the Pasadena Playhouse.

Because just a few individuals were putting on a massive community event, we called upon other artists and parents to help set up and run the event. The response was incredible. Although the event was much bigger it still had a warm family feel as most of the participants at the event were families and artists. It looked so professional and lavish that many people thought it was put on by the City of Pasadena or The Pasadena Playhouse. It became clear after last year’s event that we needed to define ourselves.  We are now called Blue Milagro. (B.L.U.E. stands for Beyond Limitations. Urban Education.) and also means to be somewhat melancholy (let’s not forget that this event celebrate those who are no longer with us). Milagro means miracle. It is also a small metal amulet that represents the miracle one is wishing for. El Dia de Los Muertos is produced with much love by artist volunteers. It is a Milagro of love and support from the artists and the community of families of Pasadena.