'Ofrendas' art exhibit to be featured Dia de los Muertos

Contributed by the Downey Arts Coalition

DOWNEY — The Downey Arts Coalition and the City of Downey are hosting “Ofrendas” an art exhibition, at the 8th Annual Downey Dia de Los Muertos Art Festival,” Saturday, Oct. 30, from 11 am – 8 pm in downtown Downey, on Firestone Blvd, at Brookshire.  Festival admission and parking are free. 

Staged at three locations on the Festival grounds, “Ofrendas” (Spanish for Offerings) includes featured artist Jorge Del Toro’s sculptures that reflect abstracts and celebrating nature that will be displayed in the lobby amongst the traditional fine art display in the Theatre’s mezzanine.  We are also excited that for the first time, but not the last, Downey Arts Coalition will be presenting a student art exhibit adjacent to the main Library.   

Pat Gil, Project Coordinator and Vice President of the Downey Arts Coalition is so excited to present the “Ofrendas” art show. It will feature many talented and well-known artists, such as one of the all-time favorites, Hector Silva, who is very well respected by so many artists.  It’s also worth noting that several of the featured artists, Pinchi Michi, Carolina Del Toro, and Polaris Castillo, also have a significant following.

Upstairs, in the Theater’s mezzanine, Curator Andrew Hernandez has assembled a wide variety of works, which includes Jorge del Toro’s pastels and smaller sculptures.  We will be featuring outstanding works from newcomers Wendy Hernandez, and Maricela Avina.  The artists’ mediums include oil, pencil, marker, sculpture, and recycled "found art.  Prices range from affordable to expensive.

Eloisa Ball (EJ), curator for the Downey Arts Coalition Student Art Exhibit is excited to share that Gizzel Anaya, from Warren High School, has been invited to exhibit one of her art pieces, “Hasta Que La Muerta Nos Separe” with the professionals artists in the mezzanine.

The Downey Arts Coalition has been an essential component of the annual Dia de Los Muertos Art Festival since the beginning, when Festival Co-producer, and Downey Theatre Manager, Amber Vogel Shaver, reached out and suggested a partnership.   

Pat Gil summed it up:  “One reason this is such a good partnership is that this venue is what the Downey Arts Coalition is about: giving voices to the community and allowing them to express themselves artistically and reaching as wide an audience as possible.“