Ontario, CA – On exhibit from October 5, 2017 through November 12, 2017, the Ontario Museum of History & Art presents the annual Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) exhibit. The Museum has been honoring Day of the Dead traditions with large-scale exhibitions and events for two decades. Día de los Muertos: Everyday Heroes will showcase vibrant pieces of art honoring the deceased. This year’s artists bring their own highly personal views of life and death to a diverse array of media, including painting, sculpture, mixed media, photography, and altar installations. This year’s theme, “Everyday Heroes” highlights individuals who face trials of adversity and remain strong. A person with an impressive strength of character is measured as a hero. Whether exhibiting heartfelt tributes to loved-ones, or light-hearted and humorous pieces, the collective result is as broadly educational as it is entertaining. Participants from the city-wide art contest will also have their ornaments on display in the Día de los Muertos exhibit.
The Día de los Muertos holiday, is a vibrant celebration of life and loved ones celebrated on November 1st and 2nd each year. It is a long standing cultural celebration in Latin America with strong ties to indigenous Mexican culture. Today, Día de los Muertos has been increasingly popular in the United States.
This year, the Museum is proud to present the Tell Me a Story Contest in conjunction with the exhibit. The Tell Me a Story Contest is designed to promote the advancement of children’s literacy skills through hands-on, active learning related to the theme of Día de los Muertos. The 1st place winner will have their story read at the Museum’s annual Día de los Muertos Family Discovery Day by storyteller Karen Rae Kraut on Saturday, November 4, 2017. The contest is open to children in grades 3rd to 6th. Completed registration forms can be dropped off in person, by mail or by email to the Ontario Museum of History & Art by Friday, October 13, 2017 at 4 PM. For more details, visit www.ontarioca.gov/museum and click on the Education link, call (909) 395-2510 or email museuminfo@ontarioca.gov.
Special events that will be held in conjunction with the exhibit:
Community Altar Workshop
Saturday, September 30, 2017 (2 PM to 4 PM)
Contribute to the Museum’s community altar dedicated to the everyday heroes of Ontario, as part of the annual Día de los Muertos exhibit. Bring an object to display on the altar or help make a craft to decorate. Materials will be provided. This is a free event. Reservations are required.
Día de los Muertos Exhibit Reception
Saturday, October 7, 2017 (1 PM to 3 PM)
Celebrate the artists of the annual Día de los Muertos exhibit, showcasing contemporary work in painting, sculpture, mixed media, photography, ofendas (altars), and participants from the city-wide art contest. Meet the artists, enjoy live music, and participate in a drop-in workshop. Light refreshments will be served. Remarks at 1:30 PM. This is a free event.
Día de los Muertos Headband Workshop with Stephanie Hibbard
Thursday, October 19, 2017 (6 PM to 8 PM).
Learn how to make your own floral headband to wear during Día de los Muertos and afterwards with educator Stephanie Hibbard. Cost of $5 includes materials. Reservations are required. Seating is limited.
Calavera (Skull) Piñata Workshop
Saturday, October 21, 2017 (1 PM to 3 PM) and Wednesday, October 25, 2017 (6 PM to 8 PM)
Celebrate Día de los Muertos by building your own calavera (skull) piñata with a workshop led by artist Dulce Ibarra. Materials will be provided. This is a free event. Reservations are required.
Family Discovery Day: Día de los Muertos
Saturday, November 4, 2017 (Noon to 4 PM)
Celebrate Día de los Muertos through art workshops, live performances a photo backdrop and face painting for the whole family! Live performances including Karen Rae Kraut’s Día de las Muertos storytelling and her reading of the winning story form the Tell Me a Story Contest. Come dressed as an esqueleto (skeleton) and enter the Museum’s Catrina/Catrin (fancy skeleton) contest. This is a free event.
About the Ontario Museum of History & Art
The Ontario Museum of History & Art is located at 225 S. Euclid Avenue, Ontario, California 91762. Gallery hours are Noon to 4 PM, Thursday through Sunday. Admission is free. For more information call (909) 395-2510, email at museuminfo@ontarioca.gov or visitwww.ontarioca.gov/museum. The Ontario Museum of History & Art is a public-private museum operated by the City of Ontario with support from the non-profit Ontario Museum of History & Art, Associates.
About the City of Ontario
The City of Ontario is Building A Better Tomorrow with urban lifestyle districts that create sustainable places to live, work and play. Located just 35 miles east of downtown Los Angeles, the City of Ontario is ideally situated as Southern California’s gateway. With three major interstates, two railroads and the Ontario International Airport, Ontario offers direct access from Los Angeles to the rest of California, and to North America. With approximately 170,000 residents and residential development on the rise, Ontario looks to double its population in the next 20 years, making it one of the 100 most populated Cities in the nation. Complementing its business and residential core, Ontario dazzles with its amenities such as the Ontario Convention Center, Citizens Business Bank Arena, and the Ontario Mills Mall. To learn more about the City of Ontario, visit www.ontarioca.gov or call (909) 395-2000.
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