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Article and photos by Luna Garcia Dahl

Special to the Ukiah Daily Journal

Miguel Quintana is a artist from Puebla, Mexico. He came to Ukiah High School for the 15th year in a row to teach student how to make sugar skulls. He also taught the students the culture and customs of how Mexico celebrates Dia de los Muertos, The Day of the Dead. Miguel Quintana only speaks Spanish, so I interviewed him in Spanish and translated his answers to English.

Q: Do you have brothers or sisters that work with you making sugar skull?

A: Yes, I have three brothers in Puebla, Mexico that make sugar skull as well.

Q: Where and when did you learn to make sugar skull?

A: In Puebla, Mexico. My father taught me how to make sugar skulls.

Q: Your clay sugar skull molds are more than 100 years old, do you make new ones?

A: No, we do not make them anymore. It is very difficult to mold them and make them equal.

Q: In Mexico, is Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos) a happy or sad occasion?

A: Dia de los Muertos is a day to be happy and content. Because you are thinking of your loved ones and enjoying their memory. Also, I believe they would not want their family and friends to be sad. It is a day of celebration.

Q: Where do you go to teach people how to make sugar skulls?

A: In schools and festivals in and around San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, Chicago, Minneapolis, and Ukiah.

Q: What is your favorite school to visit?

A: Ukiah High School.

Luna is a fifth grade student at Grace Hudson Elementary School. She enjoys covering current events at school and is an amateur photographer.