Hispanic Heritage Month at the Abilene Public Library will be celebrated Sept. 16 through Oct. 16. The theme for this year is "Getting Involved:Our Families, Our Community, Our Nation."

Cultural programs will focus on the celebration of Dia de los Muertos. Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead is celebrated in Mexico and in certain parts of the United States and Central America. It honors and celebrates the lives of loved ones who have died, and normally lasts for three days.

During tonight's ArtWalk, Carmen Lathem will be at the library, 202 Cedar St., from 6 to 7:30 to answer questions about this celebration and explain the significance of the items in the display case. Because flowers are such an important part of the celebration of Dia de los Muertos, children can come and learn how to make paper flowers.

CAN'T ATTEND?

The Abilene Philharmonic orchestra is expecting a big crowd for its season-opening concert Saturday at the Abilene Civic Center, 1100 N. 6th St.

If you're a season ticket holder and can't attend the concert, call the Philharmonic office (677-6710) to offer your tickets for resale. You'll receive a tax credit for your donation.

THE ART OF THE MATTER

An internationally known Texas artist and professor at the University of Houston-Clear Lake is bringing her innovative artwork to The Grace Museum beginning today for a four-month exhibit in Gallery A on the museum's second floor.

The exhibit, "Sandria Hu: Smoke and Ash," includes 16 works of art. The foundation for Hu's collage and painting work comes from fragments of found objects, usually pieces from cigar boxes and scraps of wood or panel.

Hu will give an artist gallery talk at 6 p.m. today, and will also host a printmaking workshop on Friday (morning or afternoon sessions available) in The Grace's Education Center, 102 Cypress St. For information about the workshop, call the museum at 673-4587.

The Grace Museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday; and from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. every Thursday. Admission is free after 5 p.m. Thursdays. For more information, call 673-4587.

Mail information to Jan Woodward in care of "Around Town," Abilene Reporter-News, P. O. Box 30, Abilene 79604. E-mail: woodwardj@reporternews.com. Fax: 670-5242. Deadline: 14 working days before publication.