Day of the Dead altars honor loved ones

“It's an emotional connection that I kind of cycle through,” he says. “It's my time to kind of hang out with him.”

This year, he invited his mother, Victoria Moctezuma Valderas, a florist and ceramist who lives in McAllen, to join him in the tradition associated withDía de los Muertos or Day of the Dead. The indigenous Mexican holiday celebrated Nov. 1-2 coincides with Christian observance of All Saints Day and All Souls Day.

“I got together with my mom and said, ‘Let's do something special. Let's make somecoronas (wreaths) for the altar, just like we used to make them when we were kids,'” says Valderas who, with his siblings, grew up helping out in his parents' flower shop

The altar is one of 17 that will be on display for “Altares, Ofrendas y Danzas en Aztlan,” an exhibit opening with a reception 6 p.m. Monday at Centro Cultural Aztlan, 1800 Fredericksburg Road, Suite 103.

Valderas is co-curating the show — one of many exhibits and events happening at arts and cultural organizations for Día de los Muertos — with Henry de Leon.

“We're focusing on large altars this year,” he says. “So all the altars are going to be giant size, larger than 10-foot by 10-foot.”

The centerpiece of Valderas' altar will be a photograph of his father, Horacio Sanchez Valderas, as a young soldier. The elder Valderas, who died in 2002, served in the Army during World War II. Along with the colorful wreaths his mother made, Valderas is incorporating some of his father's personal belongings, such as hiscachuchita (cap), and favorite foods.

“I'd rather not make an altar for him. I'd rather have him around,” Valderas says. “But that's the best I can get now.”

The opening of “Altares, Ofrendas y Danzas en Aztlan” will feature an artisan market and performances by Urban-15's Carnaval de San Anto, Calacas de San Anto and Liza Ybarra. Altars will be on display through Nov. 13. (210) 432-1896; www.centroculturalaztlan.50megs.com