National Hispanic Cultural Center

Día de los Muertos Community Ofrenda Exhibit & Related Events Oct. 21 through Nov. 8

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 20, 2019

MEDIA CONTACT


(Albuquerque, New Mexico) -- The National Hispanic Cultural Center’s 2019 Community Ofrenda Exhibit will be on display in the Domenici Education Building and the Roy E. Disney Performing Arts Center Oct. 21 through Nov. 8, 2019. Each year the National Hispanic Cultural Center (NHCC) works with schools and community organizations to host an exhibit of ofrendas (altars) in celebration of Día de los Muertos. In addition to individual ofrendas, the NHCC has a community ofrenda where people are welcome to contribute items in remembrance of their loved ones. 

Día de Muertos is an annual traditional holiday celebrated throughout Mexico and many Hispanic communities. Join the NHCC and experienced, knowledgeable local artists to learn about the meaning of this celebration, the traditional arts and crafts associated with the celebration and development of ofrendas that honor families and individuals.

This year NHCC is working with 516 Arts to display a number of submissions dedicated to the “Species in Peril” along the Rio Grande.  For a list of plants and animals that are extinct or facing extinction along the Rio Grande.  https://www.516arts.org/exhibitions/species-in-peril-along-the-rio-grande-contemporary-artists-respond.  For information on the exhibit at 516 Arts and programming https://www.516arts.org/

NHCC is hosting a special lecture and book signing with artist and author, Ann Murdy, for a discussion of her book, On the Path of Marigolds: Living Traditions of Mexico’s Day of the Dead/ En el camino de los cempasúchitles: Tradiciones vivas del Día de Los Muertos de México. The book signing is Sunday, Oct. 27 from 1:30 – 3 p.m. Dr. Tey Marianna Nunn, Director of the NHCC Art Museum will join the discussion, which will be followed by a book signing with the author. Ann Murdy is an award-winning photographer who has been taking pictures of México’s Day of the Dead and other celebrations since 1991. Her photographs are in the permanent collections of the National Museum of Mexican Art in Chicago, the photo archives of the New Mexico History Museum in Santa Fe, and the 9/11 Memorial Museum in New York City. She has a B.A. from Chapman University in Orange County, and also B.F.A. from the San Francisco Art Institute.

From 5 – 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1, NHCC hosts its annual free community event Día de los Muertos: Despedida in the Domenici Education Building with music, poetry and hands-on art at this time-honored community gathering. This is a great event for all ages. Tour the ofrendas around the NHCC campus and enjoy music, poetry, traditional hot chocolate mexicano, pan de muerto, and the sharing of heartfelt memories.

This month’s NHCC’’s Salud y Sabor event Saturday, Nov.  2 from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. also celebrates Día de los Muertos. Held in the Grand Hall of the Domenici Education Building, Salud y Sabor is a parternship between the Agri-cultura Network, Street Food Institute and the NHCC. This free event offers food, art and entertainment aimed at providing families with an opportunity to connect around nutrition, cooking, healthy lifestyles and culture.

Once a month, community members gather for cooking demonstrations using fresh, locally grown ingredients, as well as fun art activities for kids and adults, health screenings and live entertainment. An emphasis is placed on exploring traditional Hispanic dishes, providing basic information/free screenings from local Western and alternative health practitioners, and creating a vibrant atmosphere with art activities and live music. In most months, free samples of local produce are available. For more information on Salud y Sabor, call (505) 246-2261.

Questions? ElenaD.Baca@state.nm.us  505-383-4734

Image(s): Día de los Muertos Ofrenda Sugar Skulls Courtesy: National Hispanic Cultural Center

Link to this release: media.newmexicoculture.org/release/1030/dia-de-los-muertos-community-ofrenda-exh

Media contact: Mary Ann Hatchitt, 505-681-4014, mahatchitt@outlook.com

About the National Hispanic Cultural Center:  The National Hispanic Cultural Center is dedicated to the preservation, promotion and advancement of Hispanic culture, arts and humanities, and is a division of the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs. 

The National Hispanic Cultural Center is located at 1701 Fourth Street SW in Albuquerque, New Mexico. General admission tickets can be purchased in advance from the National Hispanic Center box office, 505-724-4771 or the NHCC website, www.nhccnm.org. Click here for directions.

 


Related Photos

36-NHCC- Dia de los Muertos Sugar Skulls
36-NHCC- Dia de los Muertos Sugar Skulls

Back to Press Release List »