4^th Annual Day of the Dead Art Show

October 19 – November 3

Los Dias de los Muertos, observed on November 1st and 2nd of each year, is an important religious holiday in Mexico. Coinciding with All Saints and All Souls Day, the holiday marries traditions of Catholicism with the ancient Aztec celebration of Death. Marked by festivities that honor the connection between the dead and the living, cemeteries are cleaned and decorated, and altars are designed in homage to one’s ancestors. The holiday is one of joyous remembrance, not of sadness. Special songs, poems, foods, and toys are created for Los Dias de los Muertos and reflect this perspective.

An ofrenda (offering), is a term denoting the collection of items placed on an altar, built and decorated to welcome the spirits of loved ones who have passed on. Objects can include images of departed loved ones, sugar skulls that are often embellished with bright, whimsical designs and colors, and cempasúchitl (the Aztec word for the flor de muerto) or marigolds.  The Aztecs believed that the scent of these flowers could wake the souls of the dead, and help to guide them to the altars where they would be reunited with their relatives. They also represent the fragility and ephemerality of life.

For this year’s Day of the Dead art show, we invite you to submit artwork that explores themes of death , remembrance, and celebration. The works will be integrated into an immersive display built in our upstairs gallery, inspired by traditional ofrendas. All media will be considered. Work may be no larger than 24” in any direction.

Please help us celebrate this most wondrous holiday in a time when we are especially committed to honoring Mexican and Latin-American art, culture, and tradition.

Important dates and exhibition timeline:

Applications are due by Monday, October 2nd. To apply, send 1-2 jpegs of your work to contact@eyesgallery.com. If accepted, these images may be used for promotional purposes. Accepted applicants will be notified by Friday, October 6th. Completed pieces, ready to hang or be displayed, must be received  in the gallery by Monday, October 9th.

The opening reception will be on Thursday, October 19th, from 5-8 pm.

The show will come down on Friday, November 3rd, and unsold works can be picked up the following week.

In lieu of a commission, 30% of all sales will be donated to Juntos, a community-led, Latinx immigrant organization in South Philadelphia fighting for human rights of workers, parents, youth, and immigrants and the belief that every human being has the right to a quality education and the freedom to live with dignity regardless of immigration status.