DES MOINES ART CENTER SEEKS SUBMISSIONS FOR 2021 DIA DE LOS MUERTOS CELEBRATION HONORING COVID-19 VICTIMS

For 21 years, the Day of the Dead at the Des Moines Art Center has been a way to honor and connect with Latinx members of the community. The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately impacted the Latinx community, as well as other communities of color. This year, the Art Center is remembering the names, faces, and stories of Latinx Iowans who have lost their lives as a result of COVID-19 with Dia de los Muertos: Recuerdo.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has left many communities all over the world grieving. We intend to honor the lives of those lost in Iowa by making their stories a part of our yearly Day of the Dead celebration, where the traditions of the Latinx community provide ways to come together and bring us closer to our loved ones who have passed,” Museum Educator Mia Buch said.

The 2021 celebration will be primarily virtual, kicking off in mid-September with a variety of activities and resources. Honoree submissions will be included in a memorial slideshow. Four submissions will be selected for feature honoree videos, which will be published to the Art Center website and social media channels.

The honoree submission form is available in Spanish and English at desmoinesartcenter.org/day-of-the-dead. Submissions are due by Aug. 1 to be included in the memorial slideshow and May 31 to be considered for a feature honoree video.

Honorees will be those who have lost their lives because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Honorees will be considered regardless of age, gender, race, ethnicity or sexual preference.