Solid Ground’s LatinX Caucus is hosting two Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebrations for our residents and staff, featuring ofrenda honoring people who have passed and decorations made by young artists who participate in our programs.

“We celebrate this holiday every year to remember our loved ones that has passed away and moved on,” one of the young artists explains. “My grandpa passed away before I was born and I never met him,” says another. “Day of the Dead means to me remembering our families and our best friends; it feels like they are right next to you caring about you.” “It’s good to make art,” says yet another. “If they were here right now they would love what we are doing!”

“Day of the Dead means to me remembering our families and our best friends; it feels like they are right next to you caring about you.”

Fourteen year old Victoria Olivera painted the stunning image pictured above for use on our poster. “I had seen a film inspired by Day of the Dead called The Book of Life,” Victoria says. “There was a scene in particular where they were in a place with a bunch of floating candles. I found that very inspirational and beautiful. So I tried to recreate the same kind of feeling. Day of the Dead feels very magical to me. It is when the spirits of the dead come back to visit this world. I wanted to include that sort of magical feeling.”

Victoria was born on Nov. 2nd. “So Day of the Dead was always kind of mixed with my birthday. I always enjoyed the colors, the celebration and the food!” she exclaims. “On Day of the Dead I remember my art teacher, Sheila Newman, who taught me how to watercolor before her death about two years ago. I also remember my grandfather who died when I was very young. He was important in my mother’s life, and so therefore very important to mine.” Victoria’s father, David Olivera, is a Children’s Advocate on our Sand Point Housing campus.

Check out this list of public Día de los Muertos celebrations in the Seattle area.