Día de Muertos

Free and open to the public! Join us for a special community gathering for Día de Muertos, a celebration of life that demonstrates remembrance, love, and respect for those who have gone before us. Choose to come on either Nov. 1 or Nov. 2, or celebrate with us on both days! This event is free and open to the public. RSVPS STRONGLY ENCOURAGED If you don’t feel comfortable celebrating with us this year, we understand. We will see you next year! To help ensure the safety of our patrons, we are implementing a bag check upon entry for this event. Staff members will be enforcing the requirements at the door as you enter, so please be prepared. Participate in the construction of a community ofrenda in Taste, an on-site dining space, throughout both days of Día de Muertos. Ofrendas (or offerings) are altars created to honor those who have died and are traditionally filled with photographs, food, flowers, and candles. All are welcome to bring these elements or others that celebrate someone special in your life who has passed. A digital printer will be available for those who wish to print a photo during the celebration. Please refrain from bringing alcohol, tobacco, or anything flammable. Please note that we are unable to return any items left on the ofrenda. Contributing to the community ofrenda is free and will be open on Nov. 1 and 2. At the conclusion of Día de Muertos, messages and memories will be placed in a sacred fire with love and care to commit them to the cosmos. Cal Duran is a Queer, Two Spirit, Indigenous, Native, Mixed blood, Latinx, Manito, Mestizo, Chicanx, Indian Artist, and Arts Educator from Colorado. He has roots that bridge India, Mexico, and the natives of this land. He finds himself exploring parallels between his hybrid identities found in myth, religion, and ritual. He has shown altars, installations and artwork in museums and galleries throughout the Denver Metro area and beyond. He continues to honor his ancestors and recently created a room at Meow Wolf in Denver honoring the Indigenous tribes of Colorado and the Americas. It was through art that he began to connect to his ancestors. He is guided by these ancestors to create altars as beacons of light for the ones beyond this realm. As a youth educator, Cal understands how important art is for our next generation in creating safe spaces and helping youth find their voice. He is honored to weave his vision of ancestral knowledge in order to guide others as they seek to reconnect to ancestors, create altars and remember where they came from. He gives gratitude and love to everyone working hard to create a world full of love, joy, and creativity. Ofrendas created by local schools and community groups will be on view in the museum. Explore the diverse histories, cultures, and artistic voices of the Southwest and beyond through works from the FAC’s permanent collection. Learn more Join the museum collections team to explore selections from the museum’s permanent collection. Explore more of the calendar Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a tradition that dates back around 3,000 years in Latin America. Mesoamerican cultures such as the Aztec, Toltec, Quechua, Mapuche, and others hold a cyclical view of the universe in which death is an integral part of life. The dead are still members of the community, kept alive in memory and spirit, and are welcomed back to Earth during el Día de Muertos. The revival of the observance of Día de Muertos in the United States is part of the Mexican American reclamation of Indigenous identity that began with the Chicano Movement, which spanned from the 1940s to the 1970s. This celebration continues to evolve in different ways in various regions, illustrating the importance of reclaiming cultural heritage and tradition. Within the United States, it has evolved as a mix of Latin American Indigenous practices, Roman Catholic spiritual traditions, and diasporic Hispano/a, and Latinx American cultural expression. Like many holidays, it is celebrated in different ways by individuals, families, and communities. Ofrendas (offerings) are made to honor those who have passed and often make creative or socially engaged statements. Check out our sponsorship package or contact Cristina Gonzales at [email protected]. This celebration honors our ancestors and brings our community together—at no cost to attendees. With your support, we can continue to offer this vibrant cultural experience to everyone, year after year. Donate today Your contribution ensures that this tradition lives on and grows even brighter! The Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center at Colorado College welcomes participants with disabilities. Please contact Frances Huntington, [email protected], (719) 477-4360 to request accommodations. Advance notice may be necessary to arrange for some accessibility needs. Colorado College occupies the ancestral homelands and traditional territory of the Ute People, as well as Apache, Arapa