Fleisher Art Memorial hosts Dia de los Muertos exhibit through Saturday

South Philadelphia residents gathered this week to honor the dead through art and remembrance at the Fleisher Art Memorial.

The holiday, observed primarily in Mexico, has deep roots in Indigenous cultures. Organizers brought the tradition to the city with an installation that opened recently. The event was organized by La Calaca Flaca, the Association of Mexican Business Owners of Philadelphia, and the Fleisher Art Memorial. A procession also moved along Eighth Street on Sunday. More than 100 community members helped create the display.

Artist Gina Pacheco led the project. She said the work belongs to the people who contributed to it. Gerard Silva of La Calaca Flaca explained the meaning behind the visual elements. He noted that monarch butterflies migrate from North America to Mexico just in time for the holiday. The display also features a hummingbird, known as a colibri. Silva described the bird as a messenger that carries written messages back to loved ones who have passed.

The center of the exhibit is an altar called La Ofrenda. This Spanish term translates to the offering. Visitors can place photographs and personal items on the altar. Silva said people often bring food and other things their loved ones enjoyed. Pacheco added a specific message to the altar through two embroidered blankets. The blankets list the names of people who died in immigration detention or due to Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions. Pacheco said the process of embroidering the names was heavy for her.

The installation runs through Saturday. The venue closes at 3 p.m. on that final day. Admission is free to the public. Organizers described the holiday as a joyful celebration of life rather than a somber occasion. Silva emphasized that the community celebrates in a happy way. The display includes traditional symbols such as face makeup and marigolds. Each element carries specific cultural meaning for the participants.

The event received support from local businesses in the area. Pacheco, who also works with the social justice organization Juntos, felt honored to participate in the creation. She said the community effort was the most important part of the project. The altar remains open for visitors to leave their own tributes until the exhibition ends.