Día de los Muertos Community Altar Project

×

Expand

courtesy Overture Center

Past Día de los Muertos Community Altar Project creations.

As Halloween approaches, so — more somberly — does the Mexican holiday Day of the Dead or Día de los Muertos, traditionally Nov. 1. This community art project hosted by the UW School of Human Ecology and partners celebrates the distinctive and sometimes macabre iconography of the day. Community members are encouraged to make their own altars, according to Mexican tradition, to remember loved ones. Anyone can participate, creating a shadow box altar to honor someone who has passed. To reserve an altar box, see communityaltar.wisc.edu; submissions for the in-person exhibit at Overture need to be returned by Oct. 25, and submissions for a virtual exhibit by Oct. 28. A story sharing and gallery viewing will take place at 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 8, in the Rotunda Gallery; also, a Remembrance and Celebration reception happens from 5-9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 12, at Garver Feed Mill.

press release: Día de los Muertos Community Altar

Thursday, Oct. 28 – Sunday, Nov. 14, Rotunda Gallery

The Día de los Muertos Community Altar Project honors our ancestors and all those who passed especially in this year when we have lost so many to the pandemic. This participatory project draws on the Day of the Dead altar-making traditions in Mexico and remembrance traditions worldwide. The community altar and celebration bring our diverse community together—to honor our ancestors and keep their memories alive. All are welcome to participate by creating and contributing a shadow box altar to honor someone who has passed.

To participate, reserve an altar box at www.communityaltar.wisc.edu. To participate in the in-person exhbit, boxes must be returned by Oct. 25; for the virtual incarnation, photos/video should be submitted by Oct. 28.

EVENTS:

Día de los Muertos Community Altar Story Sharing and Celebration | MON, NOV 8, 6 PM, Rotunda Gallery. Join altar creators as they share stories about their ancestors and loved ones.

Remembrance & Celebration, Friday, November 12, 5 – 9pm, Gaver Feed Mill, 3241 Garver Green: Set to music and with the magic of large-scale outdoor projection, Remembrance & Celebration, is a community sharing of altars made by community members and artists from around the world.

Conmemoración y Celebración, Viernes, 12 de noviembre, 5 – 9 p.m., Garver Feed Mill, 3241 Garver Green: Acompañado por música y con la magia de una proyección a gran escala y al aire libre, Conmemoración y Celebración es un intercambio comunitario de altares hechos por miembros de la comunidad y artistas de  todo el mundo.

Find more virtual exhibits at www.communityaltar.wisc.edu.