DIA DE MUERTOS
The Day of the Dead, Día de Muertos, is a long-standing tradition at El Museo that engages pre-Columbian roots in ancient Mesoamerica, and connects them with the development of modern and contemporary art.
Visitors explore this important cultural celebration through museum visits, facilitated discussions with educators, gallery-guided talks and hands-on workshops, linking art-making experiences that are available on-site at the Museum and off-site at various partnering organizations.
In El Café, artist Kristina Felix presents an offering of 296 loaves of pan de muerto—one for every death in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities since 2023. Visit Diana Sofia Lozano’s botanical altar and contribute to the communal ofrenda. Bring a photograph of someone you’d like to remember, or print and frame one onsite. You can also create a clay offering in a hands-on workshop to add to the altar.
design your own calavera
Join the festivities by creating your very own calavera (skull) mask to wear during Día de Muertos. Print at home and decorate your mask with vibrant colors, jewels, sequins, and paper flowers.
GROUP VISITS
Explore the pre-Colombian origins, and the symbolic elements of this tradition celebrated in Mexico, other parts of Latin American and the U.S, through an interactive discussion followed by an age-appropriate art making workshop.
RESOURCE GUIDE
El Museo’s Resource Guide, tailored for educators, provides context and content about Día de Muertos. Use the discussion questions and activities outlined in the Guides before and after your visit to continue the conversation with your students.
