Thursday, October 8 – Sunday, November 8, 2020
Due to our temporary closure based on guidance from state and health officials we will be presenting Día de los Muertos: Journey of the Butterflies virtually through photographs and videos.
Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) emphasizes remembrance of past lives and is a celebration of the continuity of life. For Día de los Muertos, the monarch butterfly holds the spirits of the departed. Explore and learn more about the tradition that dates back to Mexico’s oldest civilizations through the artwork of local contemporary artists at our annual exhibition showcasing paintings, sculptures, mixed media, photography, and ofrendas (altars).
The Aztecs were a Mesoamerican culture that emerged in the 14th century in what is now central Mexico. Historically the Aztec people would take offerings to the King and Queen, guardians of the Land of the Dead. Although this ancient tradition has evolved over the past centuries the idea of coming together and bringing offerings to those who have passed remains.
Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) signifies how we come together as a family and community to honor our ancestors. Throughout the years the Ontario Museum of History & Art has exhibited several community artists who bring their own narrative and voice to what Día de los Muertos means to them.
This event is a celebration to honor loved ones who have passed through an altar or ofrenda. Traditionally, families install altars at homes or cemeteries and adorn them with offerings that the departed persons once enjoyed, such as their favorite objects, flowers or treats. This year’s exhibit, “Journey of the Butterflies” is inspired by the story of the monarch butterfly in Michoacán, Mexico. Locals believe the returning of the monarch butterflies are souls of ancestors who are back to visit the living. The monarch is a reminder to us how life continues after death and how loved ones will always be remembered.
Photo credit: Debbie Fuentes, Un Viaje de las Mariposa, date unknown, photo courtesy of the artist.
Thank you to everyone that participated in this year’s Día de los Muertos: Journey of the Butterflies exhibition. 2020 has been an unprecedented year and while our doors remain closed to the public, the Museum is committed to continuing its exhibition and programming schedule. Museum staff is working diligently behind the scenes to present quality virtual exhibitions on our new website, OntarioMuseum.org. We would not be able to do this without the support of the Community Life Culture Agency, Museum Board of Trustees, our community, and wonderful artists.
Artist List: Saul Aguilera, Allyson Allen, Ellona Allen, Bill Anderson, Gloria Toti Bell, Lisa Cabrera, Arthur Carrillo, Frank Carrillo, Dee Marcellus Cole, Jessica Cruz, Pablo Damas, Amaya Diaz, Sierra Diaz, David Flores, Tom Fontanes, Debbie Fuentes, Camila Gallardo, Viola Gallardo, Bebop Garcia, Sandy Garcia, Kathleen Jacobson, Alex Ledante, Heriberto Luna, Kieran Maddox, Irene Nuñez, Marylucille Nuñez, Leilani Ofisa, Ontario Museum of History & Art Staff, Riea Owens Juan Pacheco, Francisco Palomares, Theresa Polly-Shellcroft, June Ramirez, Belinda Ramirez, Yolanda Reyes, David Rosales, Lisabella Russo, Anishka Samuels, Raymond Gonzales Sloan, Virginia Vilchis, Chris Wesley, and Patricia Woodlin.
Día de los Muertos city-wide ornament contest
Ornaments submitted by participants from the city-wide contest are on display in the exhibition. This is a collaborative project made possible by the City of Ontario’s Community Life Culture Agency.
Jennifer Lopez 1st [19+]
Avery Grant 2nd [5-12]
Liana Lopez 2nd [13-18]
Olivia Vallejo 2nd [19+]
Valerie D 3rd [5-12]
Alizah Lopez 3rd [13-18]
Erika D 3rd [19+]
Aaliyah Tolentino
Alexandra Velasco Moreno
Andrew Gabriel
Charlotte Soule
Collin Stevens
Connor Stevens
Elicia Tolentino
Frida Ponce
Gabriel Campos Lewis Branch Library Staff Pick
Grace Vallejo Museum Staff Pick
Jocelyn Silva Rec Staff Pick
Leonardo Campos
Maggie Vera
Maybelline Lopez
Melanie Lopez
Rocki Hardin
Ruben Caballero
Sandra Verhagen Ovitt Library Staff Pick
Victoria B
Yesenia Alegria
Montserrat Ventura
Nathalie Morales 1st [5-12]
Marylen Ventura 1st [13-18]
The Tree of Life
Gallery Images
Detailed Images
Allyson Allen, Even Monarchs Die
Bill Anderson, Ausma’s Life Beyond
Debbie Fuentes, Breathe
Irene Nunez, Mariposa’s de Esperanza’s
June Ramirez and Belinda Ramirez, Elena’s Journey Home
Theresa Polley-Shellcroft, The Right Place-Salute to Dr. John, the Night Tripper, 1941-2019
Lisa Cabrera, Taking Flight
Alex Ledante, Con los Antepasados
Lisa Cabrera, And So We Meet Again
Debbie Fuentes, Un Viaje de las Mariposa
Lisabella Russo, Reign of Ancestors
Juan Pacheco, Untitled
Francisco Palomares, Self Portrait
Viola Gallardo, Los Four
Amaya Diaz, All My Love
Anishka Samuels, Un Poco Loco
Gloria Toti Bell, Take Me Home
Kieran Maddox, Skele Bones
Leilani Ofisa, Love Peace
Camila Gallardo, Sol
Ellona Allen, Son of Sun
Sierra Diaz, Return
Patricia Woodlin, Metamorphous
Mary Lucille Nunez, Universal Pillar to Warriors and Daughters
Virginia Vilchis, Magia para el Corazon
Virginia Vilchis, Juntos al Mismo Destino
Virginia Vilchis, Renacer
Arthur Carillo, RIP
Heriberto Luna, The Celestial’s Hummingbird with the Galactic Butterfly Headdress
Francisco Palomares, Mexican Warrior
Lisabella Russo, Forever and Always
Theresa Polley Shellcroft, The Feathered Serpent
Bebop and Sandy Garcia, Bottled Messages to Our Beloved
Frank Carrillo, Monarca Azul
Lisa Cabrera, Butterflies in Mind
Saul Aguilera, There Exist, For All: La Vida y El Tiempo
The Rainbow Bridge
Riea Owens, Dance of the Monarchs
Chris Wesley, Coming Home
Alex Ledante, La Reunion
Tom Fontanes, Day of the Dead
Viola Gallardo, Magu
Tom Fontanes, El Dia de Los Muertos
Theresa Polley-Shellcroft, Oshun and Marigolds
David Flores, Journey of the Red Monarch Butterflies
David Flores, My Birth is my Death
David Rosales, Calavera Payaso
David Rosales, Mictlantecuhtíl
Alex Ledante, Remordmiento de Conciencia
Jessica Cruz, Farewell My Love
Kathleen Jacobson Between the Words
Pablo Damas, Beautiful Memories
Raymond Gonzales Sloan, I’m Still Laughing
Dee Marcellus Cole, She Only Wore Brown
Raymond Gonzales Sloan, Relics
Viola Gallardo, LACMA
Yolanda Reyes, Coming Home
David Rosales, At the Calavera Carnival
Debbie Fuentes, Come Dance With Me (detail)
Video
Día de Los Muertos: Journey of the Butterflies
This year’s exhibit, “Journey of the Butterflies” is inspired by the story of the monarch butterfly in Michoacán, Mexico. Locals believe the returning of the monarch butterflies are souls of ancestors who are back to visit the living. The monarch is a reminder to us how life continues after death and how loved ones will always be remembered.
Click on the image to view the video. All videos are available on our Facebook page.