29th Annual Día de los Muertos Exhibition Opening
Saturday, September 13th, 2025
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
FREE

Block Party and Community Resource Fair
Saturday, October 18, 2025
12:00 - 4:00 PM
FREE

El Día de los Muertos, or ‘Day of the Dead’, is a holiday that is celebrated in Mexico, many Central and South American countries, and within the United States. A joyous remembrance of the lives of family members and loved ones who have died, the holiday is a celebration of the cycle of life with ancient roots.

Day of the Dead is celebrated November 1 and 2. Traditionally, these days are marked by festive celebrations to honor the deceased. Cemeteries are cleaned and decorated, special food and candies cooked, and home altars are designed with offerings (ofrendas) to the dead of the things they enjoyed most in life, including food, drink, and even music.

The exhibition explores both the deep traditions and contemporary expressions of Day of the Dead. The altars and artworks in this year’s exhibition are designed and created by Jesus Bravo, Rubén Guzmán, Nathan Gomez, Cristina Briano, and Liz Camino-Byers. The community altar, which visitors may contribute to, will be created by the Museum.

Major features in this year’s exhibition include:

• Altar by Jesus Bravo reflecting the early, indigenous origins of Day of the Dead. Bravo’s altar features elements of the original harvest related festivals that marked the early celebrations of the cycle of life among the Mexica. This altar also includes replicas of ancient musical instruments.
• Altar by Liz Camino-Byers. A 7-foot tall, 10 foot wide 7-level,stepped altar, this impressive installation will feature Liz Camino-Byers’ remarkable collection of Mexican and Day of the Dead folk art. The collection, built over several decades, represents many aspects of Day of the Dead, as well as several different regional traditions of Mexico.
• Installation by Nathan Gomez. Painter and graphic artist Nathan Gomez will present several original paintings that explore the visual legacy of Frida Kahlo and Catrina Calavera, the iconic lady of Day of the Dead.
• Altar by Cristina M. Briano. Cristina’s altar celebrates the passing of an entire generation in her family. Her mother was the last of 12 children to pass away. This traditional, family-dedicated altar will recognize Cristina’s ancestors, her mother, aunts and uncles, and honor the end of a remarkable generation.
• Teaching Altar. This Altar, presented by the Museum of Sonoma County, will feature many of the traditional elements of Day of the Dead and provide an explanation of the meaning and symbolism of each offering.
• Cartonaria sculptures by Ruben Guzman. Big, bold and colorful, Ruben Guzman’s traditional Mexican papier-maché sculptures capture the vibrancy of Day of the Dead and feature iconic forms and themes such a skulls and reflections on indigenous traditions.
• Community interactive. Leave your own remembrance of a lost loved one in the exhibition.