Dia de los Muertos ofrenda on display Nora Eccles Harrison Museum of Art
The Nora Eccles Harrison Museum of Art has a Dia de los Muertos ofrenda, or offering table, in the lobby until Nov. 13.
Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a Mexican holiday that connects family members with their loved ones who are both alive and deceased. The holiday’s observance runs from Oct. 31 to Nov. 2.
Shaylee Briones, visitor experience and public engagement specialist at NEHMA, said Dia de los Muertos is a big celebration.
“There are elaborate dressings, the ofrenda that they do and big processions,” Briones said. “There’s lots of traditions that go along with the day.”
According to Briones, the ofrenda at NEHMA is a great way for students to be introduced to the holiday.
“We wanted to help people know that the museum supports the Mexican tradition,” Briones said. “We also want people to learn more about it.”
Chloe Camp, coordinator of exhibitions and collections at NEHMA, said this display has been put on for a few years.
“It’s become a tradition to do this here,” Camp said. “A lot of people really look forward to it.”
According to Camp, her department works with Spanish linguistic professors each year to set up the display accurately and respectfully.
“They were able to give me some insight about things that are traditionally found on ofrendas,” Camp said. “I was able to go out and find those items.”
Ofrendas can include any item that symbolizes one’s religion, their loved ones or what they want to offer. The items can also represent the elements of fire, wind, earth and water.
“We went and bought different little knickknacks, treats, traditional candies, foods and symbols for the table,” Briones said.
According to the art museum index, the different kinds of displays symbolize different kinds of ofrendas. One of these is the marigold flowers.
“When you go to the entrance of the museum, there are little marigold flower stickers that will lead you to the table,” Briones said. “I think it is such an interactive way to include these symbolic elements that go along with the tradition.”
Another interactive element of the exhibit is the ofrenda wall, which allows the visitors to dedicate a portion of the ofrenda to someone.
“People can put the names of loved ones that have passed on on it,” Camp said. “A lot of people want to remember them.”
The majority of the exhibit is composed of visual elements that students can come and observe.
“We have a lot of photos hung up in the lobby of the museum of people dressed in costumes and with their faces painted for the day,” Briones said. “There’s a large board that describes what the holiday is like.”
According to Camp, the holiday is becoming more well-known in American culture, specifically with its inclusion in media.
“I think movies and things like that are a great starting point for curiosity,” Camp said. “But I think it needs to be taken beyond that so we’re not just accepting what Hollywood portrays.”
Briones agreed learning about other cultures in a respectful way is crucial to being an understanding citizen.
“We have quite a large Hispanic population in Cache Valley,” Briones said. “To learn about traditions that are important to them and things that people might not be familiar with is very important.”
Briones said learning about the holiday can help everyone feel more attached to their loved ones, even if they don’t celebrate the tradition.
“It’s a holiday that celebrates connecting with family members and remembering those that have passed on,” Briones said. “It not only helps you understand different cultures, but helps you connect with your family.”
To learn more about the holiday and the ofrenda, visit the museum by Nov. 13, or visit their website, artmuseum.usu.edu.
“USU is culturally diverse, culturally aware and a safe place,” Camp said. “For people to be able to explore and express their identities — I think that’s perfect.”