Sep. 11, 2026 @ 6:00 pm – Jan. 3, 2027 @ 7:00 pm
ABOUT THE EXHIBIT
About the Exhibit
Rooted in Indigenous traditions and shaped by centuries of cultural exchange, Día de los Muertos is a celebration of life, memory, and the enduring bonds between the living and those who came before us. During this celebration, traditionally observed on November 1 and 2nd, families prepare ofrendas with cempasúchil (marigolds), candles, photographs, favorite foods, and personal belongings to honor and welcome the return of our loved ones. These traditions and celebrations express remembrance through objects that carry memory across generations. As carriers of energy, humanity, and tradition, these objects embody the stories, values, and lived experiences of the people who cherished them. By collecting and preserving such objects, museums help safeguard not only works of art but also the cultural knowledge, histories, and human connections they carry, ensuring they remain accessible to future generations.
While an ofrenda preserves the memory of an individual, a museum collection preserves the stories of communities. Every artwork, print, sculpture, and object in the Mexic-Arte Museum Permanent Collection reflects the people, places, and traditions that shaped it. Together, these works document not only artistic expression but also the movement of cultural practices as they travel with individuals, families, and communities across borders. Día de los Muertos: Coleccionando Memorias reflects on the Mexic-Arte Museum’s decades of collecting, preserving, and sharing the artistic traditions that surround this celebration.
The pieces in this exhibition made their way to Austin, and through diverse programming such as exhibitions and educational activities, they became integrated into the city’s cultural landscape. From José Guadalupe Posada’s iconic calavera prints to the vibrant cartonería of the Linares family and the work of contemporary artists such as Claudia Zapata and Claudia Aparicio, the works in this exhibition highlight the many ways artists have expressed remembrance, identity, and celebration across generations. By preserving these works, Mexic-Arte Museum documents not only the evolution of artistic traditions but also the cultural exchange that continues to shape Austin today.
DETAILS
Exhibition: Día de los Muertos: Coleccionando Memorias
Dates: September 11 – January 3, 2026
Location: Mexic-Arte Museum, 419 Congress Avenue, Austin, TX
Hours: Monday – Thursday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Friday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. & Sunday, 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.