Hands On History

DÍA DE LOS MUERTOS Family Art Workshop
with Doctora Guadelupe Mireles-Toumayan. 


2024
November 3, Sunday, 2 pm – 4 pm

With an eye on decorative folk art, create a festive craft in the spirit of Día de los Muertos. Explore the museum’s Día de los Muertos pop-up exhibition of student-created altars. 

Dra. Mireles-Toumayan holds a Master’s in Education and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from California State University Northridge and Harvard University. She is on the faculty of Santa Monica High School and California State University Northridge.

This event is FREE and includes time for visitors to explore museum exhibitions. Space is limited, let us know you are coming. RSVP today: RSVP@santamonicahistory.org

Con la vista puesta en el arte popular decorativo, cree una artesanía festiva con el espíritu del Día de los Muertos. Explore la exposición emergente del Día de los Muertos de altares creados por estudiantes en el museo.

Dra. Mireles-Toumayan tiene una Maestría en Educación y un Doctorado en Liderazgo Educativo de la Universidad Estatal de California en Northridge y la Universidad de Harvard. Forma parte del cuerpo docente de la escuela secundaria de Santa Mónica y de la Universidad Estatal de California en Northridge.

Este evento es GRATUITO e incluye tiempo para que los visitantes exploren las exposiciones del museo. El espacio es limitado, avísanos que vendrás. Confirme su asistencia hoy: RSVP@santamonicahistory.org

Special Events

Graphic - words Dia De Los Muertos / Day of the Dead

Sand Rush: The Revival of the Beach in Twentieth-Century Los Angeles

2024
Saturday, May 11, at 2:00 PM

Historian Elsa Devienne will present her new book “Sand Rush: The Revival of the Beach in Twentieth-Century Los Angeles” at the Santa Monica History Museum on Saturday, May 11, at 2:00 PM.

 Drawing from historical archives, anthropology, and cultural artifacts, Devienne showcases the beach’s pivotal role in urban history and its impact on issues such as real estate, race, environmental conservation, and modern beauty standards.
 
The book explores the formation of a “beach lobby” in the 1930s, which spearheaded efforts to reclaim and clean the beaches, paving the way for their modernization as havens for a mostly white, heterosexual middle class. Devienne also examines the cultural significance of Muscle Beach and the rise of surf culture, which helped shape Hollywood’s portrayal of physical beauty and leisure.
 
About the Author: Elsa Devienne is no stranger to accolades, having won the prestigious Willi Paul Adams Award from the Organization of American Historians for her outstanding contributions to American history. She is an Assistant Professor in US History at Northumbria University. Devienne is a sought-after expert, frequently appearing on radio, podcasts, and TV shows to discuss her research in both English and French.