Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) Exhibition and Free Family Festival

The Museum of Sonoma County (MSC) is pleased to present its 25th annual “Día de los Muertos” (Day of the Dead) exhibition, on view from October 16 through November 7, 2021. This year’s anticipated exhibition will take place in the Museum’s historic 1910 Post Office building’s mezzanine gallery and will feature artwork and altars created by local artists, students, and collectors.

“Día de los Muertos” (Day of the Dead) is a joyous remembrance of the lives of family members and loved ones who have passed and a celebration of the cycle of life. The holiday is celebrated on November 1st and 2nd throughout Latin America, but is more closely associated with Mexico, where it originated. Traditionally, it is said, the souls of the dead return to visit the living for a few brief hours during the celebrations. In Mexico, cemeteries are cleaned and decorated, special food and candies are 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.

[Image: Catrina by Álvaro de la Cruz & Family from the collection of Liz Camino-Byers, 2016 “Día de los Muertos” exhibition; image courtesy Museum of Sonoma County]