El Dia de los Muertos: Exhibit Honors Life After Death

Typically celebrated during the first two days of November, The Day of the Dead or El día de los Muertos is well known to most Californians as a haunting celebration of friends, family and other loved ones who have passed away.

Based in Mesoamerican traditions, the holiday is embraces death as a celebration of life; many believe during the spirits return to earth during these days to visit loved ones.

For the second year the embraced a little-known tradition of the celebration: erecting an ofrenda in front of the Museum's entrance for community members to leave photos of their deceased friends or relatives.

"In many Mexican townships, particularly in the state of Michoacán, a communal ofrenda is often erected to ensure that the spirits without living relatives will also have a place to be remembered," reads the Museum's webpage. "In keeping with this tradition, Sonoma Valley Museum of Art erects this ofrenda along our façade on Broadway, the gateway to Sonoma’s town plaza." 

There's lots of ways to remember a life beyond a photo. To honor the dead, the Museum suggests the following:

• Photo of deceased loved one
• A story or memory about loved one
• Paper or artificial flowers
• Poem about life and death
• Colorful skull or skeleton
• Write a lyric for your loved one
• Fresh marigolds

The exhibit runs through Wednesday, Nov. 2.

Another not-to-miss: The Sonoma Community Center will feature its annual on Nov. 1 from 6-8 p.m. A festive fete, expect music – Mexican band Noche Tropical is scheduled – and traditional performance by Quetzalen Baile Folklorico.