The Sampson Arts Council welcomed residents on Sunday afternoon for a special cultural celebration honoring Dia de los Muertos, marking the first time the organization has hosted the traditional Mexican holiday in downtown Clinton.
Inside the Victor R. Small House gallery, guests were invited to view a community ofrenda filled with flowers, papel picado, candles, symbolic offerings, and dozens of photos brought in by Sampson County families honoring their loved ones who have passed. The community ofrenda will remain on display at the gallery through Friday, Nov. 7.
Sampson Arts Council Executive Director Kara Donatelli said this event was about community collaboration, cultural representation, and education.
“It took a large group of people to put that together. It took the community,” Donatelli said. “We’re hoping that people will become aware of this celebration because a lot of people don’t know the history behind it. This isn’t to be confused with Halloween. This is a real celebration of life. It’s a celebration of those who have passed, and we want to keep their memories with us.”
Donatelli added that Mexican American artist Peter Marin of Raleigh played a major consulting role, and she hopes the momentum continues across the region and through future years.
“We have so many cultures here in Sampson County. It’s very important to represent your community, and that’s what we try to do,” she said. “People need to be more open to learning the history behind these events. It’s really interesting, and we’re hoping people will come out and appreciate it.”
Sampson Arts Council Board President Robert Taylor said seeing such turnout and participation was powerful.
“It’s encouraging to see that we’re acknowledging the Hispanic culture and acknowledging these holidays,” Taylor said. “There’s a movement trying to be more inclusive, trying to include everybody. Everybody has something to celebrate. We’re all connected in some form or fashion, and we’re all celebrating life.”
Taylor said seeing teachers and students from multiple schools represented through artwork and contributed materials stood out most.
“It’s just showing that even though they’re in different schools and different parts of the county, they can still come together and do something together and make something that’s meaningful to everybody,” Taylor said.
Clinton High School Spanish teacher Paula Barnes said she was grateful to see so many community members attend on a Sunday afternoon.
“We didn’t really know how big the size was going to be. It just means a lot to us that so many people have come out,” Barnes said. “You have to start somewhere, and starting this is a beautiful thing to see.”
Union Middle ESL teacher Jennifer Moreno Gomez said the celebration brings needed cultural understanding for all backgrounds.
“Celebrating Dia de los Muertos spreads culture and awareness about Hispanic heritage, cultures, and traditions,” Gomez said. “We celebrate the dead rather than being sad. It’s not Halloween, but a lot of people confuse it. It’s important that the community knows about other traditions and holidays, especially when we have all these people around us.”
Local resident Daniel Perez, who lives only a few blocks away, said seeing the event happening in Clinton meant a lot.
“It’s nice to see them coming out here,” Perez said. “It’s just remembering the people that were gone. It would be nice to keep this going, especially for the kids, so they can learn from it too.”
Contributors Honored
The Sampson Arts Council also publicly thanked those who helped make the event possible, including:
Peter Marin – Mexican American Artist/Consultant, Raleigh, NC
Paula Barnes – Spanish Teacher, Clinton High
Jennifer Moreno Gomez – Union Middle School ESL Teacher
Vanessa Garcia – Sampson Middle Juntos Club
Genevieve Merlos-Pulley – ESL Teacher, Midway High
Yenisel Solis – Spanish Teacher, Hobbton High
Mary Malpass – Art Teacher, Union Elementary and Union Intermediate
Jennifer Jackson – Art Teacher, Hobbton High School
Mauricio Gomez – volunteer
Cheryl Johnson – volunteer
Joan Bjork – volunteer
Carol Miller – catering
Additionally, flowers and papel picado were crafted by students from Clinton High, Sampson Middle, 4-H, and community members, with artwork contributions from students at Union Elementary, Union Intermediate, and Hobbton High School. Student musicians included Pedro Villeda and Daniela Urbina.