Arts & Minds - Connect & Create November 2026

Activity: Card Sugar Skulls inspired by the Mexican Festival of Día de los Muertos

Description

Activity: Card Sugar Skulls inspired by the Mexican Festival of Día de los Muertos

At November’s Connect and Create, we will be creating our own 2D sugar skulls on card with help from Arts and Minds member, Mark. You can either use a pre-made template or design your own using a blank one. We will have a range of pens, paints and embellishments for you to use. All materials will be provided and this is suitable for all abilities.

History: "The Day of the Dead (Spanish: Día de los Muertos) is a holiday traditionally celebrated on 1st & 2nd November ion Mexico. It involves family and friends paying respects and remembering friends and family members who have died. The celebrations can take a humorous tone, as celebrants remember amusing events and anecdotes about the departed. A central motif of the Die de los Muertos celebrations is Sugar Skulls. In the 17th century, Italian missionaries brought sugar mold traditions (making small angels and lambs for Easter) to Spain, which eventually spread to colonial Mexico Mexico had abundant sugarcane production, and local communities learned to make alfeñique—a moldable sugar paste. Indigenous artisans adapted the technique to create skull-shaped candies to replace older amaranth-seed offerings, merging them with Catholic All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day (November 1st and 2nd).”

Connect and Create is a relaxed monthly session led by Arts & Minds members, where the theme and activity change each time.

It’s a chance to meet others, try something creative, and enjoy the process - there's no pressure and no experiences needed, just come along and have a go.

Each session starts with a warm welcome from the Arts & Minds team, followed by a hands-on activity chosen and led by one of our members. You might be drawing, painting, crafting, writing, or something completely different.

Whether you’re new to Arts & Minds or a regular, you’re very welcome.

What you can expect from a Connect & Create session:

An inclusive and welcoming space to explore and create

A relaxed, interactive and friendly delivery style

A mix of hands-on activities, with time for conversation

Workshop resources are provided.

Refreshments are available to purchase from the Cafe Bar at Left Bank.

About Arts & Minds

Arts & Minds works alongside Leeds Recovery College to bring together adults in Leeds, who believe in the power of creativity to support mental health and wellbeing.

Whether you’re an artist, mental health service user, carer, NHS worker, community organisation, or simply passionate about the arts and wellbeing - we welcome you.

Similar workshops

Expressive writing is about self-expression, and putting your thoughts, feelings and experiences into words.

More Information