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Brutus Calavera Coloring Contest - Rules and submission guidelines

Help Brutus get ready for Day of the Dead!

picture of half Brutus half calavera face

 

Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a cultural tradition predominantly celebrated in Mexico and Central America, and recently, by Latinxs in the United States. Before the arrival of the Spaniards, Aztecs engaged in month-long celebrations honoring the dead. Ever evolving, the tradition’s contemporary practitioners continue to reshape and redefine this ancient ritual of remembrance. At the heart of the tradition is a joyful celebration of life—both those in the present and those in past.  

The calavera is an important element of this celebration, as it playfully imitates scenes of everyday life to remind us not to take life too seriously. They represent death as the great equalizer of life that does not discriminate based on socio-economic hierarchy or other inequalities endured while living.

This coloring contest, open to all, introduces this festivity to those unfamiliar with it and strives to strengthen the relationship between Ohio State and Latinx culture.

Sponsored by the Center for Latin American Studies, with support of The Ohio State Department of Athletics and the Wexner Center for the Arts.

Eligibility and rules

  • Open to all children, teenagers and adults
  • One entry per person
  • There are five categories, divided by age: under 8, 9-11, 12-14, 15-17, 18+.
  • Eligible materials: crayons, colored pencils, markers, paint. No gluing on of extra materials or embellishment will be allowed.
  • Submissions will be judged based on the following criteria: visual impact, organization and execution, interpretation and creativity, and craftmanship
  • By entering the contest, the contestant allows Ohio State to take photographs of submissions to advertise the contest and Day of the Dead Columbus event. The first name and first initial of last name of winners might be published.

Prizes

  • Prizes vary by grade category, but include tickets to an Ohio State football game and men’s basketball game, Amazon gift cards, tickets to the Columbus Museum of Art, a gift card to Brush Crazy (Bethel Rd. location)
  • Two winners will be selected from each category (10 winners total)

Instructions

To participate, print the page below. Fill out contact information and color it in. Then, drop off or mail submissions to Leila Vieira by Monday, October 27, 2025, at 5 p.m.

Address:

Center for Latin American Studies, Office of International Affairs

140 Enarson Classroom Building, 2009 Millikin Rd

Columbus OH 43210

 

Contact information

If you have any questions, contact Leila Vieira at vieira.31@osu.edu or 614-292-3956.