Past Special Events | Public Programs

Día de los Muertos

Book Signing

A brightly decorated table altar with framed photos of people, surrounded by signs.

Join an all-ages Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebration with Ohio State’s Department of Spanish and Portuguese, Latinx Studies Program, and the Wex.

Join us for reflections about our muertos; personal ofrendas (offerings or altars); a book launch for local artist Rafael Rosado; a Living Altars performance by Taco Reparations Brigade; and a comic-making station provided by local artist Anthony Pomales.
 
Enjoy free refreshments, including tamales and hot chocolate with traditional pan de muerto (Mexican bread of the dead). 

All are welcome to celebrate departed loved ones and participate in this vibrant Latinx tradition with Mesoamerican Indigenous roots.

IMAGE CAPTION:
Photo: Emma Parker Photography.

Know before you go

  • Where to park: We recommend parking in Ohio Union South Garage to avoid special event parking fees and ensure your validation sticker for $2 parking applies. Learn more about parking validation.

Program Schedule

Welcome
4 PM

Lower Lobby, Heirloom Café, Wex Store
Welcome to the Dia de los Muertos celebration! Explore the Wex galleries, the altar in the Wex Store, and a comic-making studio activity featuring artwork by Anthony Pomales.

Comic Conversation and Book Launch
4:30–5 PM

Wex Store
Join local artist and illustrator Rafael Rosado for a conversation celebrating the launch of his book Call Me Iggy with Fernanda Díaz-Basteris, assistant professor of Latinx New Media and Ethnic Studies in the Department of Spanish and Portuguese.

¡Presente!
5:15–5:30 PM

Wex Store
We invite you to activate the altar—naming our loved ones and presenting ofrendas, or offerings, to those who have passed.

Living Altars Performance
5:30–6 PM
Lower Lobby

Taco Reparations Brigade performs a new piece for the celebration.

Food and Beverages
6–7 PM
Lower Lobby and Heirloom Café
Enjoy tamales from Casa Karmelitas and traditional pan de muerto from Vainilla y Chocolate. Mexican Coke products and hot chocolate will also be available!

Folklórico Dance
6:30 PM

Lower Lobby
Join the celebration with an interactive dance piece from Ohio State Department of Dance students.

  • Choreographer: Alfonso Cervera
    Dancers: Larissa Rojas and Alex Zavant 
    Music: La Bruja by Trio Ellas

Cosponsored by Ohio State’s Department of Spanish and Portuguese, Latinx Studies, and Center for Latin American Studies.

LEARNING & PUBLIC PRACTICE PROGRAMS MADE POSSIBLE BY
American Electric Power Foundation
CoverMyMeds
Huntington
Martha Holden Jennings Foundation

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT PROVIDED BY
Ingram-White Castle Foundation
Ohio Arts Council

The Ohio State University Office of Outreach & Engagement
Milton and Sally Avery Arts Foundation

SUPPORT FOR LEARNING & PUBLIC PRACTICE RESIDENCIES PROVIDED BY
Mike and Paige Crane

WEXNER CENTER PROGRAMS MADE POSSIBLE BY
Greater Columbus Arts Council

The Wexner Family

Institute of Museum and Library Services
Mellon Foundation  
Every Page Foundation  
Ohio Arts Council, with support from the National Endowment for the Arts

CampusParc

Nationwide Foundation

Lois S. and H. Roy Chope Fund of The Columbus Foundation
Ohio State’s Global Arts + Humanities Discovery Theme

The Columbus Foundation

Axium Packaging  


ADDITIONAL SUPPORT PROVIDED BY

Ohio State Energy Partners

Ohio History Fund/Ohio History Connection

David Crane and Elizabeth Dang
Melissa Gilliam and William Grobman
Rebecca Perry Damsen and Ben Towle

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Past Special Events

Día de los Muertos