The Ogden Museum of Southern Art is celebrating Día de los Muertos in beautiful fashion this fall with a traditional Day of the Dead altar, on view September 24 through November 6, 2026. Created by internationally acclaimed folk artist Cynthia Ramirez, the vibrant ofrenda turns the museum into a joyful space of remembrance, color, and life.
The altar honors the beloved Mexican tradition of paying tribute to departed loved ones with candles, cempazuchitl marigolds, pan de muertos, and photographs of the departed. Ramirez, an associate professor of fine arts at Southern University of New Orleans whose work has been shown from New Orleans to festivals around the world, brings her deep connection to this celebration to every detail of the installation.
The exhibition also features artwork by students from the museum’s Photography Camp, making this a true community celebration that connects young artists with one of Latin America’s most cherished traditions. It’s a wonderful chance for families to share a moment of reflection — and to discover how New Orleans embraces cultures from across the Americas.
Visit the Ogden Museum of Southern Art through November 6 to experience this moving and colorful tribute. The museum sits in the heart of downtown New Orleans and is one of the finest homes of Southern art anywhere.
Photo: Michelle Pontiff / Ogden Museum of Southern Art
