The Art of Remembrance
Celebrate with an explosion of color!
Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) and its Mexican heritage in the United States and around the world, is celebrated going back some 3,000 years! During contemporary Day of the Dead festivities, people commonly wear skull masks, eat sugar candy molded into the shape of skulls, dance and play music for their loved ones. In turn, the living family members treat the decreased as honored guest in their celebration and leave the deceased’s favorite foods and other offerings at gravesites or on the ofrendas built in their home. Ofrendas can be decorated with candles, bright marigolds called cempasuchil. The most prominent symbols related to the Day of the Dead are calacas (skeletons) and calaveras (skulls).
Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) Exhibition
The Arts Council of Midland will host A Journey to Connect exhibition featuring a Texas artist, Melody Herrera, from Thursday, October 1 to Sunday, November 15, 2026 at the Arts Council of Midland, located at 806 S. Main Street in Midland, TX. OPENING RECEPTION: October 1, 2026 | 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Melody Herrera is a Native Texan. She is a self-taught painter and sculptor. Herrera’s pieces combine Neo-Expressionism with Mexican Folk art. Herrera’s work is inspired by her journey to connect to her roots and cultural heritage. Herrera artwork is rich in bold lines, color patterns, and fluorescent details. Mexican and Tex-Mex culture, food, and religious practices, are also incorporated throughout her pieces. Notably, Herrera was featured twice in the Spring Juried Art Exhibition at the Museum of the Southwest. Advocating for grassroots creativity, Melody Herrera founded the Bijöu Art Box, a free, public miniature art gallery, located in Odessa, Texas where Herrera lives with her five children and husband.
Join other artisans and the West Texas community
DIA DE LOS MUERTOS
Festival
Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) festival will be held Saturday, October 17, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at 806 S. Main Street. Come see the colored array of cultural paper mache art and themed decorations. Festival includes vendors with culturally relevant artwork, handcrafted jewelry, apparel, pre-packaged sweets, and traditional Day of the Dead décor. On site will be food trucks, a car show, and creative activities. Everyone is welcome to dress in festival apparel and participate in day’s activities. Come experience our props and scenery table for the perfect picture!
Key highlights:
11:00 a.m. Hispanic Cultural Center of Midland will perform on the west lawn.
12:00 p.m. Legacy Freshman/ Midland Lee High School Mural and Mask Collaboration Reveal.
Event parking is located on the east corner of S. Main Street and California Avenue. Open to the public, free and family friendly!
Dia de los Muertos Wall Installation
Our third annual wall installation is another opportunity to participate in the ACM Dia de los Muertos exhibition. We welcome artists and general public to paint in the theme and help us build an installation for this Dia de los Muertos exhibition!
First, second and third prizes will be aware for masks with most votes!
Sugar skull kits can be purchased at our S. Main Street location. Each kit includes acrylic paints, paper mâché mask, brush set, palette, and “bling” dots! Masks will need to be completed and returned to ACM by Friday, September Friday, September 26, 2025, at 4:00 pm. Kit price $20 or 2 for $35. Reserve and pick up your kit today!
Collaborative Wall Installation – Legacy Freshman High School
Breanna Carrasco Art 1 students have created six large murals and will display in the gallery starting Saturday, October 17 - Sunday, November 15, 2026.
Journey with us as students experience the important tradition and cultural significance of this holiday. For children, especially those from Mexican or Latin backgrounds, learning about Dia de los Muertos is an essential way to connect with their heritage and cultural identity and promote cultural awareness and pride.
Collaborative Wall Installation – Midland Lee Freshman High School
This year we partner with Midland Lee Freshman High School and Danika Contreras Art 1 students for the Second annual MISD Mask Installation project!
This installation will include over 150 masks created by the students and will be on display in the gallery Saturday, October 17, 2026, between 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. This installation will continue through Sunday, November 15, 2026.
We are SUPER excited!
