DOWNEY — The Downey Arts Coalition Art Exhibit Ofrendas: A Celebration of Dia De Los Muertos returns to the 12th Annual Downey Dia De Los Muertos Art Festival at the Downey Theatre and Civic Center on Sunday, Nov. 2 from 11 am until 8 pm.

DAC’s Ofrendas exhibits include the main visual art exhibit which features 51 local, national, and internationally recognized visual artists in the Downey Theatre lobby and upstairs gallery. Outside in front of the theatre is DAC’s Pet Altar where community members honor the memory of their beloved pets. Behind the Downey Library is the DAC Student Art Exhibit that includes walls for visitors to create chalk art.

Presented by the City of Downey, and the Downey DDLM Committee, this Dia De Los Muertos Arts Festival is Downey’s premiere event drawing thousands of families and among the most popular in Los Angeles County. Beyond the DAC art exhibits this full day experience includes a community altar, Catrinas, Aztec dancers, folkloric performances, music performances, face painting, community booths, vendors, food trucks and more. And it’s all free. It is a perfect outing for the whole family.

Eric Pierce, editor of the Downey Patriot, has said, “The Downey Día de Los Muertos Art Festival has grown into Downey's premiere cultural celebration and most attended public event, and is a powerful reflection of our community's diversity, creativity, and respect for tradition. One of the most inspiring days of the year in Downey.”

In 2011, Senator Bob Archuleta personally recognized the Downey Dia De Los Muertos Art Festival for promoting the arts in the community by supporting the vibrant work of local artists, musicians celebrating this cultural tradition.

Senator Archuleta then recognized the Downey Arts Coalition and each of its individual members for their outstanding dedication and commitment to the community through the arts.

Dia De Los Muertos is a celebration of life for family and friends to remember all those they have lost and ancestors that came before them. A time when the gates between the lands of the living and dead are weakened for a short moment allowing for the departed to reunite with the living. Ofrendas bridges the gaps between the two worlds.

Variations of Dia De Los Muertos date back 3,000 years and continue to evolve. Dia De Los Muertos celebrations in California are largely due to artists during the Chicano Movement. Artists sought to identify with their native roots and build on the Day of the Dead that they wished to create in the United States.

In 1971 Teatro Campesino in San Juan Batista and in 1974 Self-Help Graphics in Los Angeles were instrumental in re-popularizing and bringing this community celebration to broader public attention. Ofelia Esparza is recognized as the grande dame of Los Angeles altar making.

The Downey Arts Coalition Ofrendas exhibit is coordinated by Pat Gil and features 51 local, national, and international visual artists. It includes more than 100 art pieces. All the artists work is inspired by Dia De Los Muertos.

The curator of the Ofrendas art exhibit is the talented Andrew Hernandez, who was most recently recognized as the volunteer of the year for the Downey Symphony.

Featured artists include:

Lalo Garcia has spent over 50 years immersed in the world of art. Three of his pieces have been blessed by three different Popes. On exhibit is his exquisite "Virgin Monarch, protector of migrants” which was blessed by Pope Leo. His art pieces have been exhibited in parishes, galleries and museums throughout the United States, México, and Europe. García’s love for his native culture combined with his faith and commitment to preserving the folklore of México are all reflected in his unique work.
Agustin Ortiz specializes in printing hand carved block prints and silkscreen. As a teen he learned about Jose Guadalupe Posada, the Mexican artist who created many iconic images of Calaveras and the Mexican revolution. His Eastside Press creates fine art prints that are culturally relevant to the Latino community. He strives to create art that is original and unique that speaks to the people of Los Angeles.
Salvador Rodriguez is a landscape artist based in Austin, Texas. He is nationally recognized for his Incredibly realistic panoramic landscape paintings of the deserts of Texas and northern Mexico.
Pinchi Michi is known throughout the Los Angeles arts community. She is highly influenced by her Mexican-American Culture. She loves to paint with bold colors representing her passion for music, people, mystery and folk art.
Hector Silva is a highly respected artist throughout Southern California. Living in LA with its rich Chicano culture, Hector draws from the Latino tradition and Los Angeles’s rich Chicano culture. Hector’s mastery of light and shadow is captured on paper with pencil in vivid colors on a white background. It pops off the page.
Roger Travinos is recognized for expressive paintings celebrating Dia De Los Muertos.
Jennica Cabral is known throughout the Los Angeles area for her unique work as a chalk artist.
The Art of Ronny is a Downey based artist inspired by her Mexican heritage, Day of the Dead Art, and Latino inspired themes.
Wendy Viscarra is a mixed media artist working in mosaics, and mixed media art. She has been specializing in mosaics for over 25 years.
Kim Dodd is a student of Wendy Viscarra who also works in mosaics.
Mike Kim paints in acrylic, oils, and watercolors. He draws with colored and black ink. His influences are comics, surrealism, and abstract expressionism.
Alecks Rizo is a San Diego-based artist who also exhibits at the LRizo Corp Gallery in downtown Los Angeles.
Ricardo Delgado will be offering live drawings.

Featured Student Artist:

The featured student artist is 8th grader Heidi Yost from Griffiths Middle School. Her very expressive art work is acrylic on 8” x 10” canvas titled “Calavera Punk”

Pet Altar:

The Pet Altar located in front of the Downey Theatre is designed and constructed by Michael Hernandez. The community has been invited to honor their beloved pets. This is a wonderful experience

Downey Arts Coalition President Pat Gil says “DAC is grateful to the City of Downey and the DDLM Committee for the opportunity to participate as local artists in what is a family time for the entire community to come together and celebrate the lives of our ancestors, and to enjoy the life of today.”

The world will try to convince you the arts are a luxury. They are not. In an increasingly troubled country and world the arts teach us empathy, connect us to our humanity and to each other.

Downey Arts Coalition's ofrendas exhibit returns to Dia de los Muertos Art Festival