The Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) recently announced the artists taking part in the 14th Annual Ofrendas: Celebrating el Día de Muertos. This year, the exhibition features ten ofrenda altars created by artists from communities across Michigan. Visitors can see the ofrendas in the museum’s Special Exhibition Central Galleries from Sept. 26, 2026 to Nov. 1, 2026.
Now in its fourteenth year, the exhibition invites visitors to experience Día de Muertos traditions through altars that honor loved ones and installations that highlight cultural, social, and community themes. The exhibition was developed in partnership with the Consulate of Mexico in Detroit, the Southwest Detroit Business Association, and the Mexicantown Community Development Corporation.
“Every ofrenda in this exhibition carries a story of a life, a family, or a tradition,” said Julie McFarland, Executive Director of Public Affairs & Community Engagement at the DIA. “This year’s 10 altars show the depth of talent and passion our artists and community partners bring to this exhibition, and we’re honored to highlight this tradition at the DIA. We hope every visitor who walks through the museum this fall takes time to experience this special exhibition.”
Visitors will find the following ofrendas in this year’s exhibition:
- Marlon Lara and Yoselin Serrano, Consulate of Mexico in Detroit | Passion & Futbol – Manuel Lapuente
- Arnisha T. Smith | Sankofa: Herencia
- Jenni Souter | From This Side of the Bridge: Marigold Bridge to Mictlan Portal – Dual Ofrendas for Frida, Mom, and My Dog
- Vittoria Katanski | Studente del Mondo, Insegnante per Tutti
- Doris DeMarco | Recuerdos de ellas/ Memories of Them
- Franklin Eugenio Forbes II | Papi Recuerdo
- Nathan Chavez | Frutas del Trabajo: We Carry Their Stories
- Carla Milch |Legacy of Love, Giving and Strength
- Rachel Robert | Jose Piedad Lozoya
- Norbella Aguilar | Ofrenda for Tomás Peña #MENTALHEALTHMATTERS
Family-friendly Programming
The exhibition will once again be paired with a slate of family-friendly programming, including fan-favorite drop-in workshops such as Sugar Skulls on Friday, Oct. 23 from 6 pm – 8:30 pm and Paper Flowers in the Artmaking Studio on Friday, Oct. 2 from 6 pm – 8:30 pm, along with a performance by Ballet Folklorico de Detroit on Saturday, Oct. 3 at 12 pm. The DIA will also host an artist talk on Sunday, Nov. 1, the exhibition’s closing day, at 2 pm.
For more information about Ofrendas, please visit dia.org/Ofrendas14.
Museum hours
- Tuesday‒Thursday: 9 a.m.‒ 4 p.m.
- Friday: 9 a.m.‒9 p.m.
- Saturday‒Sunday: 10 a.m.‒5 p.m.
General admission is always free for museum members and residents of Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne counties.
This community exhibition is made possible through Tri-County millage support.
About the Detroit Institute of Arts
The Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) is considered one of the premier art museums in the U.S. with a collection of more than 60,000 works of art that are a multicultural survey of human creativity from ancient times to the 21st century. With a collection that includes the first Vincent van Gogh painting to be acquired by an American museum (Self-Portrait, 1887), Diego Rivera’s Detroit Industry Murals (1932–33) and more, the DIA is renowned for its quality, range, and depth.
The DIA’s mission is to provide every visitor an opportunity to find personal meaning in art. Whether you’re an art expert or simply someone who appreciates beauty, the DIA wants you to connect with its collection in a meaningful way. Learn more at DIA.org, and follow us on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram.
