The photos for this story capture the set up of our interactive ofrenda — a true community effort on all accounts. 

From October 24 to November 2, select venues in the Cultural District will come alive with the vibrant sights, sounds, and flavors of Mexican and Latin American cultures as we celebrate Día de los Muertos at the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust.

Before the festivities begin, let’s take a closer look at the importance of this holiday, what it means to those who celebrate, and how you can take part in this cultural tradition.

What is Día de los Muertos?

Celebrated on November 1 and 2, Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a holiday widely observed in Mexican and Latin American cultures. Rooted in indigenous Aztec beliefs, the two-day event is also influenced by Catholic traditions.

Día de los Muertos is a time to remember the loved ones we’ve lost and to celebrate their lives through food, music, and rituals. It is believed that during the celebration, the souls of the deceased reunite with their families, guided by light, scent, and cherished memories.

While death is often associated with sadness and mourning, particularly in Western cultures, Día de los Muertos is defined by colorful displays and life-affirming joy.

The Heart of the Celebration: The Ofrenda

At the center of Día de los Muertos celebrations is the ofrenda, or altar—a vibrant display created to honor and remember deceased loved ones.

As part of the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust's celebration, we invite you to experience our interactive ofrenda in the Kara Lobby at the Greer Cabaret Theater, which will be open for everyone to engage with and contribute to.

Two artists, Alison Zapata and Lisa DiGioia-Nutini, are leading the creation of our ofrenda, bringing their personal connections and artistic vision to this sacred space. Zapata, a Teaching Artist at the Trust and the lead artist on the ofrenda installation, sees this project as a way to foster community.

“An ofrenda is a way to honor loved ones who left us and keep their spirit alive. Our community ofrenda at the Trust is created as a communal experience meant to be shared—sharing memories, grief, hope, and joy.”

In addition to leading the project, she will personally honor her grandmother, father, and grandfather by placing special photos and bean seeds—a homage to the seeds her grandfather used to plant as a child—on the ofrenda.

Lisa DiGioia-Nutini, owner of Mexico Lindo, has been selling fine Mexican folk art and creating ofrendas for the Pittsburgh community for the past 20 years. However, she says, this installation holds a unique personal significance because of the ofrenda’s Cultural District location.

Her late husband, Jean-Pierre, worked in many of the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust venues during his 30-year career as a stagehand, rigging grip, electrician, and theatrical lighting designer. Mr. Nutini's mother was from Mexico City, his stepmother is from Veraruz, and his father was Chilean and Italian. All three were and are professors specializing in Mexican cultural anthropology and Latin American langauges and literature.

DiGioai-Nutini hopes that some of her husband's former colleagues working in venues around the area will stop by to see the ofrenda.

For DiGioia-Nutini, this project also goes beyond her personal connection; it’s also a chance to engage with the public on universal themes, like grief resolution. She reflects: “This is also an opportunity to reach a larger audience and to educate those unfamiliar with these traditions. This is important because inevitably what people take away from these commemorations is a realization that we all have more in common than we may have realized, no matter what we believe or where we come from.”

What Will You See on the Ofrenda?

When you visit an ofrenda, you'll encounter a variety of symbolic elements, each with its own meaning:

The Four Elements: Water, earth, wind, and fire are represented through items such as food, candles, and papel picado (traditional paper banners).

Layers: The ofrenda is often built with multiple levels, representing the division between earth and the sky, or even the journey of the soul through the afterlife.

Marigolds (cempasúchil) – Bright orange flowers that guide spirits with their vibrant color and scent.

Skulls & Skeletons (calaveras & calacas): – Colorful, often humorous representations of those who have passed, meant to bring joy.

Papel Picado – Delicate perforated paper art that represents the wind and the fragility of life.

Monarch Butterflies – Symbolic of souls returning, visitors at this ofrenda are invited to fill out paper butterflies to add to the ofrenda in memory of loved ones.

Common Offerings – Photos, incense, personal items, and music are all included to invite spirits to return and celebrate alongside their families.

Activities to Celebrate

Our Día de los Muertos celebration will offer a variety of free and low-cost activities to further immerse yourself in this cultural experience:

Ofrenda Happy Hour – Socialize and reflect on the meaning of the ofrenda in a relaxed, community setting while learning more about the holiday traditions.

Interactive Ofrenda Experience – Bring your own offering to the ofrenda and contribute to the community’s celebration of life.

Macario Film Screening – Enjoy a screening of this classic Mexican film, the country’s first to be nominated for an Academy Award.

Dia de los Muertos Lunch Event – Savor traditional food while enjoying a performance by Mariachi International.

Thank you to our Día de los Muertos Celebration sponsors: NiSource, Columbia Gas, and PNC.