Viewing an exhibit from a past display at Dia de Muertos Exhibition and Celebration.

News Release

FORT WAYNE – The Fort Wayne Museum of Art is accepting proposals from artists, families, and community groups around the region to honor a lost loved one or another important figure in an altar at the annual Día de Muertos Exhibition and Celebration. Interested participants are encouraged to submit a proposal of an ofrenda altar or offering honoring the life and memory of lost loved ones as part of a celebration of the traditions of Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead).

Proposals will be reviewed by a selection committee composed of FWMoA staff and local community members and considered using the following criteria: clarity of intent (who or what is being honored), level of displayed artistry and/or creativity and alignment with the values and characteristics of the Día de Muertos tradition.

Past displays at the Fort Wayne Museum of Art.

To submit a proposal, fill out the submission form on fwmoa.org by Aug. 21. Additional information and a materials list are included on the site. A Spanish version is also available. Selected artists will be notified by Aug. 28.

Proposals will be reviewed by a selection committee composed of DIA staff and local community members and considered using the following criteria: clarity of intent (who or what is being honored), level of displayed artistry and/or creativity and alignment with the values and characteristics of the Día de Muertos tradition. The artist or group of artists of each selected ofrenda will receive a stipend to offset costs.

The selected altars will be displayed to the public from Sept. 23 – Nov. 5, 2023  in the Fort Wayne Museum of Art Galleries.

For those who would like to honor a loved one without constructing an altar, FWMoA creates a Community Altar. Participants may submit the name of a loved one for staff to write on a butterfly, or they can complete the form to bring in a framed photo or other personal item to place on the altar. More information at fwmoa.org.

To celebrate, the public is invited to join in a day of fun with the family celebrating at the Día de los Muertos Family Celebration from 2-6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 3. Guests will enjoy the gallery exhibition, traditional dancing, children’s activities, mariachi, folkloric characters, complimentary baked goods, cash bar, and Mexican food truck with items for purchase. The celebration is free and open to the public.

Día de los Muertos at FWMoA is sponsored by Partners 1st Federal Credit Union and the Edward D. and Ione Auer Foundation.

­General admission to see this exhibition at the museum is free for FWMoA members, $10 adults, $8 students and seniors 65 plus and $25 for families. General admission is free for everyone from 5-8 p.m. Thursdays. Veterans, active military personnel, and their families receive free general admission. FWMoA gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursdays and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays.