José Guadalupe Posada (1852–1913) is considered the father of Mexican printmaking. He produced prints depicting current events, often satirizing the misdeeds of prominent political and religious leaders. Following his death, his calaveras (Spanish for "skulls") — farcical representations in which living people are represented as skeletons — became associated with the Mexican holiday Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), celebrated annually on Nov. 1 and 2.

This workshop begins with a tour of the exhibition Calaveras Mexicanas: The Art and Influence of José Guadalupe Posada. Once in the Glassell School of Art's printmaking studio, artist David J. Webb demonstrates the relief etching process used by Posada. Participants then create a linoleum cut print, which emulates woodcut prints — another technique used by Posada to great effect.