Celebrate Día de los Muertos
Activities at CMA and locally
Community Ofrenda
October 17–November 5
Columbus Museum of Art
An ofrenda is an altar, built to honor lost loved ones. Visitors may add a memento, photo, or word to remember and celebrate someone special from their lives. The ofrenda was created by Renee Zamora, a Columbus artist who works with printmaking, mixed media and found objects. Artist Renee Zamora shares her story and one of her favorite parts about Día de los Muertos, the ofrenda. Follow along and build your own.
Museum admission is not required to engage with the Ofrenda.
Ofrenda comunitaria
17 de octubre–5 de noviembre
Columbus Museum of Art
Una ofrenda es un altar construido para honrar a los seres queridos perdidos. Los visitantes pueden añadir un recuerdo, una foto o una palabra para recordar y celebrar a alguien especial de sus vidas. La ofrenda fue creada por Renee Zamora, una artista de Columbus que trabaja con grabados, técnicas mixtas y objetos encontrados. La artista Renee Zamora comparte su historia y una de sus partes favoritas del Día de los Muertos, la ofrenda. Sigue y construye la tuya propia.
No es necesaria la entrada al museo para participar en la Ofrenda.
Community Conversation on Grief
October 29, 1:00–3:00 PM
Columbus Museum of Art
Join CMA and community partners in an honest and meaningful conversation about grief, loss, healing, and the origins of Día de los Muertos. Guests are welcome to bring an object or photo to add to the community ofrenda to honor their lost loved ones. This event is free and open to the public. Space is limited, registration is requested.
This year’s community partners will offer participants guided practices and conversation to support the grief process. Featuring healer Lori Guth, writer Ajanae Dawkins, and artist Renee Zamora.
Space is limited, registration is requested. Cost of the program is $5.
Conversación comunitaria sobre el duelo
domingo 29 de octubre, 1:00–3:00 PM
Columbus Museum of Art
Únete a CMA y a los socios de la comunidad en una conversación honesta y significativa sobre el dolor, la pérdida, la curación y los orígenes del Día de los Muertos. Los invitados son bienvenidos a traer un objeto o una foto para añadir a la Ofrenda de la comunidad para honrar a sus seres queridos perdidos. Este evento es gratuito y está abierto al público. El espacio es limitado, se solicita la inscripción.
Los socios comunitarios de este año ofrecerán a los participantes una práctica guiada o una conversación para apoyar el proceso de duelo. Con la curandera Lori Guth, la escritora Ajanae Dawkins y la artista Renee Zamora.
El costo del programa es de $5.
Día de los Muertos Family Day
November 4, 1:00–4:00 PM
Columbus Museum of Art
Enjoy a family friendly afternoon at CMA celebrating Día de los Muertos with a participatory community ofrenda created by Renee Zamora, El Mercadito vendors, art activities led by Proyecto Mariposa, bilingual story time with Ellie Yorba, Lotteria, a photo booth, and creative time in Open Studio with guest artist Ebony Hernandez.
Enjoy $5 general admission all day. Registration is encouraged.
Día de los Muertos Community Celebration
November 4, 5:30–8:00 PM
Columbus Museum of Art
Celebrate and learn about the rich history of Día de los Muertos featuring an opening ceremony and performance by The Taco Reparations Brigade, a participatory community ofrenda created by Renee Zamora, performances by Ballet folclórico Xochihua, El Mercadito vendors, Tarot readings by Carolyn Encarnacion, music, craft cocktails & tasty bites available from Casa Mezcal Mexican Grill.
Cost of the event is $10. Advanced registration is encouraged.
Community Guest Blogs
Read and hear from more voices in our community on what Día de los Muertos means to them.
A recorded conversation about Día de los Muertos origins, traditions and the importance of appreciation versus appropriation of these indigenous celebrations with Cat Ramos and Adriana Ernst.
Honoring The Ones We’ve Lost on Día de los Muertos by Jaylene Canales
Celebrating Day of the Dead by Leticia Vazquez-Smith of Latino Arts for Humanity
Day of the Dead from a CMA Member’s Perspective by Stella Villalba
Thank you to our Día de los Muertos planning committee: Adriana Ernest, Sandra Lopez, Carol Padilla Pèrez, Cat Ramos, Carlos Roa, Yahaira Rose, Liliana Rivera, Annette M. Vasquez, and Renee Zamora.
Thank you to our community partners and artist collectives:
Ballet folclórico Xochihua, Casa Mezcal Mexican Grill, El Mercadito, Proyecto Mariposa, and The Taco Reparations Brigade.
Community Events
El Día de los Muertos AKA Day of the Dead Community Event
Saturday, October 7, 10:00 AM–6:00 PM
Greenlawn Cemetery, 1000 Greenlawn Ave
This free family event is hosted by Latino Arts for Humanity, and will feature ofrendas, an art exhibition, parade, Catrinas contest, Calaveritas literarias, children’s activities and face painting, live music, art vendors, and Mexican food
El Futuro/The Future: Art Show and Exhibit
October 13–November 2
Opening reception on October 13, 6:00–10:00 PM
Wild Goose Creative, 118 McDowell St
Featuring works of Latino artists based in Columbus and surrounding areas. The exhibit will open on October 13th and will run through November 2nd. The art show is being made possible through partnership with Wild Goose Creative, Good Land, and El Mercadito. Also at the art show, multiple community members will be honored through the Esperanza Awards.
Gente Indigena Collective’s Dia de Los Muertos Celebration
November 1, 5:00–10:00 PM
5th Element Tattoo Gallery, 1536 Parsons Ave
A celebration of life and death. Featuring food, music, spoken word, fire ceremony, a community alter, devotion, offerings, pictures. All ages welcome. No cover. Donations accepted.
