Frida Kahlo Inspires Día de los Muertos Celebration Nov. 1

The legacy of the late, great Mexican painter Frida Kahlo is one of inspiration, growth and hope, and has been greatly influential to every generation since her passing, especially for the Latino community. To celebrate her life, as well as the lives of the victims of the COVID-19 pandemic, the MAC and CCMA are teaming up with Immigrant Solidarity DuPage and Village of Glendale heights to host a drive-through Día de los Muertos celebration. The celebration begins on Sunday, Nov. 1 from 4-6 p.m. at Camera Park located at 101 E. Fullerton in Glendale Heights.

"On this Day of the Dead, we are remembering both Frida Kahlo and the victims of COVID in DuPage County --- especially in the Latino community which was hit disproportionately hard,” said Immigrant Solidarity DuPage Coordinator, Cristobal Cavazos. “The legacy of Frida Kahlo inspires us not to look away from the suffering as she never did, as we remember that the condition of truth and healing is to allow the suffering to speak and for all of us to grow as a community. This is the essence of Day of the Dead, the love and the unity in the face of our mortality.”

As visitors drive through Camera Park they’ll experience live music from Chicago’s own Mariachi Monumental De México, and see elaborate and colorful shrines called ofrendas, made of items presented as offerings to those who have passed. Visitors will also have the opportunity to donate non-perishable food items and receive tasty candy treats, with the first 10 visitors receiving a delicious pan de muerto – a specially-made pan dulce provided by Parra’s Bakery in West Chicago. For a list of suggested non-perishable food items, visit atthemac.org

“Kahlo provided inspiration and strength to people around the world because her work gave voice to those confronting the complexities and challenges of life,” said Justin Witte, Cleve Carney Museum of Art and Frida Kahlo: Timeless Curator. “The coronavirus pandemic has had a disproportionate impact on our Latino community, and if Frida were alive today, she would support every effort to help the many who now find themselves in need."

More information about Immigrant Solidarity DuPage can be found at immigrantsolidarityofdupage.org.