Day of the Dead: A Time of Mourning and Celebration

The exhibit, designed by local artists in collaboration with artists from Mexico, features a massive ofrenda, an altar to honor the deceased, that includes names and photographs of more than 200 people who have died from Covid-19 since the pandemic began. Mario Hernandez, Gallery Education Coordinator for the Museum, will conduct the tour, providing insights and background about the exhibit.

The altar’s focal point is a large wooden heart, which resembles a milagro, a religious item used in prayer. Mexican artist Alejandro Garcia Nelo, who designed the ofrenda, called the heart an acknowledgement of the heartbreak the pandemic has caused throughout the world, particularly for those unable to properly mourn their loved ones.

Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a Mexican national holiday of collective mourning, which brings healing through remembrance and celebration. Tradition holds that on Nov. 2, the Day of the Dead, families gather to welcome back the souls of deceased relatives, for a meal of their favorite foods, and a celebration of their lives.