Remembering Our Loved Ones: A Photography & Intercultural Dialogue

Join Deaf photographer Hong Yu Casey Chan for a gentle community workshop about grief, memory and cultural ways of honouring the dead, through the lens of Dia de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead in Oaxaca, Mexico.

Casey will share photographs from Listening to the Pathways of the Dead, a series that moves from lively street parades to quiet moments in the cemetery at night. Through images of candles, flowers, family gatherings and altars, participants will learn how communities in Oaxaca welcome their loved ones back for one night each year.

Earlier this year, Casey presented this project as part of the DesignTO event “dying.dialogues 2026” in a short talk format. This workshop expands on that presentation, with more time to see the images, hear the stories behind them and reflect together.

Participants will then be invited into guided reflection through simple prompts. You may think about people, pets or places you miss and how you continue to hold them in your life. You may choose to write, draw or share a few words with the group. Sharing is always optional, and this is not a therapy group.

The workshop is open to adults and older youth of all backgrounds, with or without art experience. It will be Deaf-led and highly visual, with slides, written prompts, and AI-generated voice narration, so that hearing participants can also listen while they read. Together we will create a quiet and caring space to remember, to listen with our eyes and to consider the idea that to be forgotten is the real death.

Location: Lychuu Baldwin, 41 Baldwin St, Toronto, ON M5T 1L1

Lychuu Baldwin is located in a semi-basement unit accessible by stairs from the street level.

Please see the FAQ section below for more details.

Photo credits: all photos are by Casey Chan.

More about:

AACT: https://instagram.com/aact.community

Casey: https://instagram.com/yu.artww

This workshop is produced with the support of the City of Toronto through the Toronto Arts Council.

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Host or Publisher Asian Arts and Culture Trust (AACT)