Modesto Group Crafts Catrinas for Día de los Muertos
The 16-member Manos Mágicas group prepares intricate papier-mâché figurines to celebrate the annual holiday.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Scrapbooking
Live Poll
Do you believe your local community should prioritize preserving traditional cultural crafts?
The Modesto-based collective Manos Mágicas is constructing traditional catrina figurines and altars to honor the upcoming Día de los Muertos observance. The 16 members use hand-crafted papier-mâché techniques to create these cultural displays for sites including the Gallo Center for the Arts.
Why it matters
The group maintains these traditions to preserve cultural heritage and honor deceased loved ones through artistic expression. Founder Laura Malagon continues this 25-year practice as a form of gratitude for her personal health and family history.
The Manos Mágicas group utilizes a specific paste recipe consisting of 1 cup of flour mixed with 4 cups of water. Members have collaborated with the Mexican Consulate in Sacramento for the past 7 years to build large-scale altars.
The players
Laura Malagon
She is the 72-year-old founder of the Manos Mágicas group who has spent 25 years practicing the craft of building catrinas.
Guadalupe Villegas
A long-standing member of the group who has contributed to the artistic collective since 2012.
Manos Mágicas
This local artistic collective is based in Modesto and specializes in constructing traditional figurines and altars for regional exhibitions.
Gallo Center for the Arts
This Modesto-based venue serves as a primary location for the group to display their cultural altars for the local community.
The details
Artists shape figures using cardboard cylinders layered with paper and paste, while skulls are formed over 25-year-old plaster molds. Once dry, the figures are cut to remove the mold, sealed, and hand-painted by members of the group.
Timeline
1999: Founder Laura Malagon first took her daughter to an altar exhibit.
2012: Guadalupe Villegas officially joined the Manos Mágicas group.
July: The group annually begins the assembly of materials for their catrinas.
October 28, 2026: Laura Malagon participates in a panel discussion at Stanislaus State.
October 31 - November 2: The group celebrates the annual observance of Día de los Muertos.
Culture Shift
The preservation of these physical crafts represents a departure from the mass-produced holiday decor increasingly common in modern consumerism. By upholding the 3,000-year history of the Día de los Muertos tradition, the group fosters a connection to historical roots that transcends temporary trends.
Residents can view the group's work at the Gallo Center for the Arts, which provides a tangible way to engage with traditional Mexican holiday crafts locally. Those interested in the historical significance of the displays can also attend the panel discussion at Stanislaus State on October 28.
The takeaway
Engaging in traditional crafting methods can serve as a meaningful way to preserve cultural heritage and foster connection with family history. Residents looking to adopt similar practices might start with basic papier-mâché techniques to create their own personalized tributes.
Further reading
Learn more about local community arts and hobbyist initiatives in our Scrapbooking section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Turlockjournal.
Live Poll
Do you believe your local community should prioritize preserving traditional cultural crafts?
