Día de los Muertos Ofrenda

Event Description

FREE with Admission

Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens is partnering with artist Ivonne Pinto-Garcia to create a special Día de los Muertos ofrenda, or altar, in our Back Gallery. The Day of the Dead is a Mexican holiday where families welcome back the souls of their deceased relatives for a reunion that includes food, drink and celebration. An ofrenda is an altar built to honor lost loved ones and made to connect both worlds, the living and the dead. Guests to the museum are welcome to leave notes or photos in remembrance of loved ones who have passed.

About the Artist:
Ivonne Pinto-García is an artist and community organizer from San Martín Texmelucan de Labastida, in Puebla, Mexico. In 2005, Ivonne migrated to Philadelphia where she involved herself in the local cultural scene, assisting other artists and promoting Mexican culture. She is skilled at cartoneria (papier-mache), altarcitos as offerings, and ofrendas and mythical alebrijes for Day of the Dead celebrations. She has led workshops for PMG, as well as Fleisher Art Memorial, the Free Library of Philadelphia, and Cesar Andreu Iglesias Gardens.

Ivonne recognizes art as being at the intersection of community and health. She has been critical in building strong support networks across the Mexican community of Philadelphia. She helps facilitate community members’ access to quality healthcare, education, expression, and wellness opportunities. As a grassroots organizer, Pinto has been an advocate and supporter for institutions like Puentes de Salud and Juntos.