On Saturday, November 1, the museum will be transformed by Community Celebrations that are memorable, beautiful, and deeply rooted in cultural significance. This year, two ceremonies presented by Alice Mendoza will be held at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., with free tickets required to attend. The day begins with a joyful procession of children dressed as butterflies, leading guests along a flower-lined path into a museum vibrant with music, art, and activity.

At the heart of the celebration is a traditional ofrenda—a colorful, multi-paneled shrine created by artist Araceli Cruz—where visitors are invited to add mementos and stories honoring loved ones who have passed on. Guests can enjoy samples of champurrado (traditional Mexican hot chocolate) and pan de muerto, participate in make-and-take art activities, receive traditional face painting, and listen to strolling musicians performing Mexican folk songs.

GUEST BIO:

Alice Mendoza is a retired Bainbridge teacher and winner of the 2008 Island Treasure award. She continues to serve the Kitsap community through volunteer work in schools and other organizations. She is a lead organizer of BIMA’s annual Día de Los Muertos celebrations.

Araceli Cruz, originally from Tucson, Arizona, has called Bainbridge Island, Washington, home since 2001. A self-taught mixed media artist and playwright, Araceli had her first solo exhibition in 2017 at the Bainbridge Island Library. As one of the key visionaries behind BIMA’s annual Día de Los Muertos festivities for the past decade, she has played a pivotal role in honoring this rich tradition. In 2023, Araceli showcased her artistic skills by presenting the thought-provoking play Cempasuchil. Her creative work is deeply rooted in the essence of Día de Los Muertos, paying homage to the celebration of life and drawing inspiration from Maya and Aztec history and hieroglyphs.