Students gathered for a papel picado workshop in celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month. Papel picado, which means “perforated paper” in Spanish, is a traditional Mexican folk art that involves cutting elaborate designs into colorful tissue paper to decorate altars for Day of the Dead (Día de Muertos). Papel picado's significance is rooted in its role as a symbol of life's fragility and a celebratory art form that connects to Mexican cultural traditions. The art form is a fusion of ancient Aztec traditions and Spanish materials. 

Offering workshops of this nature provides Flintridge Prep students time to experience the cultural art form and level of creativity and difficulty used to carefully punch designs in tissue paper.  The students' artwork will be displayed in Spanish classrooms and in the library. This is also a wonderful way to honor loved ones who have passed.