Día de Los Muertos Community Celebrations

On Saturday, November 2, BIMA will host community celebrations of Dia de Los Muertos that are memorable, beautiful, and rich with Mexican cultural significance.

This year there will be two community celebration ceremonies presented by Alice Mendoza, at 11 am and 3 pm.

This is a FREE ticketed event.

To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience with enough space for all, reservations are required to attend.

An opening procession of butterfly-costumed kids will lead guests from KiDiMu down a flower path into BIMA's galleries humming with music, art, and activities. Centered around a traditional ofrenda (altar), a colorful, multi-paneled shrine created by artist Araceli Cruz, guests are encouraged to add mementos and stories honoring loved ones who’ve passed on. Enjoy samples of Mexican hot chocolate or atole and pan de muerto, make-and-take art activities, traditional face painting, and strolling musicians sharing Mexican folk songs.

Guest names:

Alice Mendoza and Araceli Cruz

Guest bio:

Alice Mendoza is a retired Bainbridge teacher and winner of the 2008 Island Treasure award. She continues to serve the Kitsap community through her volunteer work in schools and other organizations. She is a lead organizer of BIMA's annual Dia de Los Muertos celebrations.

Araceli Cruz, originally from Tucson, Arizona, has called Bainbridge Island, Washington home since 2001. A self-taught mixed media artist and playwright, Araceli's first solo showing was in 2017 with an exhibition at the Bainbridge Island Library. As one of the key visionaries behind BIMA's Día de Los Muertos annual festivities for the past decade, Araceli has played a pivotal role in honoring this rich tradition. Her creative work is deeply rooted in the essence of Día de Los Muertos, paying homage to the celebration of life and drawing inspiration from Maya and Aztec history and hieroglyphs. Araceli's diverse portfolio encompasses a wide array of artistic expressions, from the iconic BIMA Día de Los Muertos ofrenda (altar) installations to striking three-dimensional mixed media pieces, unique t-shirt designs, and innovative ofrenda kits. Beyond her visual artistry, Araceli shines as the playwright behind the visually captivating production "Cempasuchil," showcasing her multifaceted talent and unwavering dedication to storytelling through various mediums.

Host or Publisher Bainbridge Island Museum of Art