The last few days, orange marigolds and delicate, paper monarch butterflies have been draped over a tiered altar inside Grand Valley State University’s Mary Idema Pew Library.
The decorations transformed a corner of GV Brew into a space of vibrant color, history and reflection. Part of an even titled, “Ofrendas Vivas,” the altar’s installation invited students to honor departed loved ones and learn about Día de los Muertos, a Mexican and Latin American holiday. Hosted by the Office of Multicultural Affairs (OMA) in partnership with University Libraries and the Kaufman Interfaith Institute, the display blended cultural heritage with modern interpretations of remembrance.
The altar featured symbolic items such as pan de muerto (bread of the dead), marigolds, candles and framed notes addressed to departed loved ones. Visitors were encouraged to write letters and leave them on the altar, a gesture that honors the memory of ancestors while introducing the practice to those unfamiliar with the tradition.
Nearby wall displays expanded on the altar’s themes, describing Mayan and Mexican cosmologies of the afterlife and how these beliefs later intertwined with traditions brought by Spanish colonizers. Informational posters detailed the journey of the soul through Mictlán and Xibalbá. In addition, translations of popular Mexican poems and songs offered insight into the emotional language of remembrance.
“The reality is that death is so integrated into our daily lives,” OMA Director Tiburcio Lince said. “The more that we talk about it, the more we grieve and more connected we are with our short existence in this life. Through education, we empower ourselves to learn that our identity is a hybrid of colonization and dignity. By celebrating our ancestors, we celebrate ourselves.”
The altar was designed by local artist Rolando Mancera, who led a lecture near the altar on the cultural symbolism behind Día de los Muertos. Mancera, originally from Guanajuato, Mexico, described the ofrenda as both a sacred and artistic act.
“The ofrenda is our best tablecloth and best dishes,” Mancera said. “We prepare it like we would for an honored guest, because we are expecting the spirit to visit.”
He explained that each offering, whether food, flowers or photographs, represents one of the four natural elements revered by Indigenous people in Mexico: earth, air, fire and water. In his discussion, Mancera also traced how the celebration has evolved through the blending of Indigenous spirituality and Catholic influence after colonization.
Throughout last week, students passing through the library were invited to stop, read and add their own messages to the altar. Many paused between classes to take photos or quietly observe, while others wrote letters to loved ones who’ve passed away.
“The event went fantastic,” Lince said. “We had about 100 folks come to the event, and we anticipate about 120 more have interacted with the ofrenda itself. Folks can see it, appreciate it in their own time and learn by reading the information posted in the wall adjacent.”
Lince also described how participation with the altar demonstrates the ways in which cultural programming can build bridges across communities.
“We learn not just about others, but about the ways that remembrance itself is a shared human experience,” Lince said.
