by Max Marbut
Staff Writer
Most Americans observe Halloween the night of Oct. 31 with trick-or-treating, but in the Hispanic community there’s a similar but separate celebration.
The “Day of the Dead” is a traditional holiday in Mexico celebrated Nov. 1-2 to honor those who have departed and celebrate their lives.
Inspired by Halloween, the Latin holiday and part of October being National Hispanic Heritage Month, Bee Gallery is showing an exhibit that combines ghosts, ghouls and goblins with contemporary art.
Three of the paintings in the exhibit are by Scott Finelli. who graduated from Florida Coastal School of Law and recently passed the Florida Bar exam.
He’s the husband of artist and gallery coordinator Melissa Finelli. She said it was his first attempt at putting brush to canvas and the three sombrero-wearing skeleton musicians were painted in the gallery while visitors watched.
“It drew quite a bit of attention,” she said. “And after three years of law school, he needed a release.
“This exhibit melds together so many different traditions,” she said. “Contemporary art is about celebrating diversity.”
“Day of the Dead” will be on display through Oct. 31. Bee Gallery is located at the Landing near Nine West Outlet and Sports Mania. Hours of operation are weekdays 11 a.m.-2 p.m, and by appointment.
For more information, visit www.beegalleryjax.com.
356-2466