Juarez Students Crafted Calaveras for Pilsen Displays

Art students in Chicago are building traditional figurines for a collaborative storefront exhibition.

Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Hispanic

Bold vector editorial illustration of a single white papier-mache calavera figurine on a wooden workbench, celebrating Hispanic heritage craft. — Students at Benito Juarez Community Academy are constructing traditional calavera figurines for a collaborative storefront exhibition in Chicago's Pilsen neighborhood this October. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Students at Benito Juarez Community Academy are constructing elaborate calavera figurines as part of a project celebrating Hispanic heritage. The Pilsen Chamber of Commerce will feature 25 to 30 of these student-made creations in local business windows this October.

Why it matters

The project honors deceased loved ones while deepening the connection between the school and the broader Pilsen neighborhood community. By showcasing student work in public spaces, the collaboration highlights the role of traditional crafts during Hispanic Heritage Month.

The Pilsen Chamber of Commerce plans to select 25 to 30 student figurines for storefront displays. The project involves students like 17-year-old Luis Alejandro Calvo Velasquez and 14-year-olds Ayleen Martinez and Crystal Garcia.

The players

Benito Juarez Community Academy

This Chicago high school serves as the primary site for the calavera construction project.

Pilsen Chamber of Commerce

This local business organization coordinates the storefront display competition for student art.

Steve Vidal

He is an art educator who has taught students how to construct traditional calavera figurines for over twenty years.

The details

Art students utilize silver wire, tape, and papier-mache to build the skeletons before painting them white to resemble traditional calaveras. Teacher Steve Vidal has led the construction process for over two decades, utilizing instructional videos to guide his class through the technical steps.

Hispanic Heritage Month occurs from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15.
The completed calaveras will be showcased in 18th Street storefront windows throughout October.

Culture Shift

This project reflects a broader cultural movement to preserve and celebrate heritage through community-based art initiatives in urban centers. By bringing traditional craft into public retail spaces, the program bridges generational gaps and strengthens local identity in historically Hispanic neighborhoods.

Residents and shoppers in Pilsen can view the student art installments in business windows along 18th Street throughout October. The initiative encourages visitors to explore local retail corridors while engaging with the neighborhood's artistic community.

The takeaway

Engaging youth in traditional craft projects serves as a vital tool for community preservation and cultural continuity. These displays provide students with a public platform to share their heritage while fostering a sense of shared history among residents.