A Celebration of Souls: Day of the Dead in Southern Mexico
This exhibit is now closed. It ran from September 3, 2022 - November 27, 2022
Each November 1 and 2, on the Christian holidays of All Saint’s Day and All Souls Day, families in villages across Mexico gather to welcome home the visiting spirits of departed relatives on the Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). A Celebration of Souls: Day of the Dead in Southern Mexico explores the history and significance of Day of the Dead celebrations in Oaxaca, a southern region of Mexico.
A Celebration of Souls: Day of the Dead in Southern Mexico opens September 3 and runs through November 27. Admission to the exhibit is included with your purchase of a general admission ticket to the Museum.
A Celebration of Souls: Day of the Dead in Southern Mexico uses 26 stunning photographs to capture a typical Oaxacan Day of the Dead.
The photographs in A Celebration of Souls: Day of the Dead in Southern Mexico show villagers immersed in all aspects of the celebration—preparing centuries-old recipes for the departed to enjoy, scattering trails of marigolds to guide the dead home, and offering chocolate and pan de muerto (“bread of the dead”) at community gatherings. This annual celebration is commemorated in photographs of candlelit home altars known as ofrendas, public processions, and rich offerings of food—including rows of solid chocolate skulls.
Community Partners
As part of the exhibition, the GRPM is working with community partners to add candlelit altars known as ofrendas to the exhibition display. Local Professor and Artist, Margaret Vega will partner with the GRPM for one such display in celebration of this holiday. Vega will honor her father, Francisco Vega (1922-2021). Francisco was a leader in the Latino community of West Michigan and a grassroots organizer for civil rights. He was also a lifelong entrepreneur, business consultant in the US and Central America, and a passionate leader at the national level. Vega’s ofrenda will be on display for the entire run of this exhibit, with additional rotating ofrends on display throughout the run of the exhibit. To learn more about Francisco Vega click here.
The GRPM is also collaborating with the Latino Community Coalition’s Nuestra HERencia project to create an ofrenda for this exhibit. Nuestra HERencia honors the rich history and legacies of women here in Grand Rapids. For more information on the Nuestra HERencia project, click here.
A Celebration of Souls is Great for School Groups!
Students will explore the rich history and significance of Day of the Dead celebrations by the Mexican people and learn how other cultures honor their dead.
Dive Deeper with These Reading Recommendations From Kent District Library
The GRPM and Kent District Library have teamed up to offer you more fun and excitement learning about Day of the Dead traditions with English and Spanish book titles for all ages.
A Celebration of Souls: Day of the Dead in Southern Mexico was developed by The Field Museum (www.fieldmuseum) in collaboration with Mars, Incorporated.
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