Don’t mourn the dead, but celebrate life with the temporary exhibit Ofrendas: Celebrating el Día de Muertos at the Detroit Institute of Arts, Sept. 28-Nov. 10, 2019.
This exhibit displays memorials and depicts the origins and contemporary customs of Mexican ofrenda traditions by incorporating sugar skulls, flowers, favorite foods, mementos, photos and a variety of other media into masterful art displays.
Ofrendas traditionally coincide with Día de los Muertos (the traditional Mexican Day of the Dead) and serve as memorials to honor deceased loved ones by displaying a loved one’s favorite foods, drinks, mementos and pictures.
Many modern day versions pay homage to places, memories and ideas the ofrenda creator feel are worth celebrating, too.
In addition to the exhibit, families can enjoy special activities to celebrate Día de los Muertos, including a sugar skull workshop every weekend from Friday, Oct. 25-Sunday, Nov. 3, 2019, plus dance performances by Ballet Folklorico de Detroit Oct. 26-27, 2019, and an artist talk with the talents behind the ofrendas on Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019.
Ofrendas: Celebrating el Día de Muertos runs during regular museum hours, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Sept. 28-Nov. 10, 2019.
Admission to the museum is free for residents of Wayne, Macomb and Oakland counties. General admission for non-residents is $14/adults, $9/seniors, $8/college students, $6/kids 6-17 and free/kids 5 and under. Parking is $7.
For more information on this exhibit, and other family fun things to do this weekend in metro Detroit and Ann Arbor, visit the Metro Parent calendar.
This post was originally published in 2016 and is updated regularly.
