The Ontario Museum of History & Art (OMHA) proudly presents the Día de los Muertos: Healing & Remembrance exhibit open October 3 through November 17, 2024. This year is the 26th edition of the Museum’s annual Día de los Muertos exhibit. The exhibit focuses on the many forms of healing and the remembrance of loved ones.
“Healing takes many forms within our communities, from finding comfort in poetry and spoken word, to meditation, music, exercise, and mindful artmaking. For many, Día de los Muertos serves as a powerful space for healing,” said Samantha Herrera, Assistant Curator of Exhibits. “Our goal with this year’s exhibit is to present this cultural method of remembrance that these participants find solace in and a sense of connection by honoring both the lives that were and the enduring impact those lives have on the present. The exhibiting artists have been creating Día inspired artwork for more than ten years, which is a wonderful representation of the dedication to the 26th iteration of the exhibition."
Día de los Muertos: Healing & Remembrance will present a diverse range of media— including paintings, sculptures, mixed media, photography, and altar installations—to showcase a multicultural perspective on life and death. The featured artists include:
· Gloria Toti Bell: A native California artist known for her works in the Mexican Folk Art and Día de los Muertos traditions. Her art expresses her Mexican heritage through the mediums of acrylic, watercolor and ceramics. Her work this year is inspired by the colorful Mexican Lotería game cards.
· Heriberto Luna: His use of bold colors juxtaposed with ancient inspiration and strong commitment to the future of his community bring a powerful and profound statement to the art world and beyond.
· Irene Nuñez: Her tenth year participating in the Día de los Muertos exhibition, her paintings personally represent her loved ones, family, and friends by remembering and celebrating their lives through her art.
· Jessica Cruz: Muralist, illustrator, creative artist and teaching artist. Her artwork, titled “Legacy of Strength,” reflects a journey of resilience, identity, and gratitude. Inspired by the strength and dreams of those who came before us, her work is a tribute to the enduring spirit that transcends generations. She has been exhibiting in the Día de los Muertos exhibition for over 12 years.
· Lisa Cabrera: Professional artist who loves using bold colors and unique materials to create her art. She works with subjects such as Day of the Dead, figurative and unusual still life work and various depictions of Mexican cultures. In her interpretations of the theme, she enjoys including humor and a lightness to her characters. It is an acknowledgment of life led and a vehicle for those of us left behind to heal.
· MaryLucille Nuñez: A self-taught, Chicana artist whose art is an expression of her culture, influenced by stone, color and flower. Her art is a reintroduction of already existing ancient concepts and understanding as picture-windows in their depth of meanings and thoughts in the language of creative simple images of understanding of stone communication, into art, transforming back into stone contemporary art installations and artworks.
· Raymond Sloan: A Southern California artist of Spanish and Mexican blood. His art is a direct response to his surroundings, heritage, and spiritual beliefs. He is influenced by Latino, Mexican, and Spanish artists who have created works that talk about their personal experiences and views of society.
· Theresa Polley-Shellcroft: Her works, paintings and fiber arts, have shown all over the country. She is an Art Educator and Art History instructor with a focus in African American history and culture.
· June Ramirez: Her artwork is a lively and colorful alebrije made of mostly paper mâché, feathers and hand painted florals. Each piece she creates has a special connection to herself.
A few free public programs accompany the exhibit.
· First Thursdays: Altar Shadowbox; Thursday, October 3 from 5 PM – 8 PM
Create your own mini altar for the opening of the Día de los Muertos exhibition. The public ois invited to bring a 2”x 3” photograph of an individual who has passed away and create a mini altar in their honor. The Museum will provide supplies to create offerings to be used in your mini altar. Space is limited; Sign up required.
· DÍa de los Muertos Gallery Reception; Friday, November 1 from 3 PM – 6 PM
Explore the cultural significance of this ancient Mesoamerican tradition through intricate displays and meaningful tributes honoring deceased ancestors and friends created by your local community. Experience hands-on art making activities such as calavera painting or strengthen your art skills by participating in a self-lead still-life drawing class. This year, Ballet Folklorico Mi Lindo Mexico will give a live performance celebrating the beauty of Mexican culture through dance as well as local artist vendors such as Nancy’s House of Dolls.
Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a vibrant and culturally rich celebration that holds great importance for communities, particularly in Mexican and Latin American cultures, observed annually on November 1 and 2.
The Día de los Muertos: Healing & Remembrance exhibit is free and for all ages. To learn more visit www.ontariomuseum.org/currentexhibitions.
The Ontario Museum of History & Art is located at 225 S. Euclid Avenue, Ontario, CA 91762. The hours are Thursday and Friday, 12 PM to 4 PM, and Saturday and Sunday, 11 AM to 5 PM. Admission to the Museum and exhibits is free.