Ofrendas for the Future Live Blog 1 - Emily Eckey

I was very interested in the panel of Dona Ofelia Esparza and Rosanna Esparza Ahrens and their presentation of their altars. I was captivated while listening to Ofelia Esparza’s history as she explained how she has carried down her history and traditions to her 9 children and 16 grandchildren. Ofelia discusses how she dedicates her altars to her family and represents her tree of life and that these are altars she has done with the help of her children. I was particularly moved by Rosanna Esparza’s piece her sister Lena was wearing. Rosanna talks about how she uses familiar symbols that represent her grandmother’s home and how she has transplanted herself in East LA. I also learned the skirt in Rosanna Esparza’s piece has butterflies to represent the spirit of her ancestors. Currently, they are explaining the theme of powerful women and how they are incorporating it into their altars.