“Ofrendas keep the memory alive,” explains Spanish teacher Norbella Peña Aguilar. This year, she’s designing a traditional ofrenda for Latino Arts’ “Day of the Dead Ofrendas” exhibition to pay tribute to her brother, Tomás Peña. He died by suicide, and she wants to honor his memory as a father, uncle, businessman, outdoorsman, brother and partner. She also hopes to raise awareness about mental health resources like the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline number, 988.
“When I was putting up my brother’s ofrenda, I felt like he was there,” Aguilar says. “And that is how I believe everyone who puts up an ofrenda for their loved one feels.”
See Aguilar’s ofrenda and dozens more Oct. 16-Nov. 17.
