Día de los Muertos Ofrenda

Honor the dead with Día de los Muertos Ofrenda, a Day of the Dead altar piece, at Duke Chapel. Guided by the expertise of local Latinx artists, this ofrenda serves as a powerful homage to the rich cultural heritage and sacred traditions of the Day of the Dead.

Seven artists from the Inter-Latin American Artist Collective (ILAAC) created oversized calaveras, colorfully painted skulls traditionally used to decorate ofrendas, and adorned the ofrenda with traditional elements. Visitors will find bright yellow and gold marigolds made of tissue paper to guide spirits to the ofrenda, papel picado (perforated paper) that symbolizes the union between life and death, and more.

This installation reminds visitors of the importance of honoring those who came before us, while fostering a sense of togetherness and understanding across cultural boundaries.

Día de los Muertos Ofrenda is created by Duke Arts in partnership with the Inter-Latin American Artist Collective and presented in collaboration with Duke Chapel and Say the Thing.