October 11-November 8, 2028
Reception with the Artists: Sunday, October 12 (5-7 PM).
Featuring live music by Jacco Velarde and the unveiling of the new mural painting “Swimmers at the Old Bath House, White Rock Lake.” Free and open to the public.
The Bath House Cultural Center presents its 39th annual Día de Muertos exhibition in 2025, featuring works by local, regional, and national artists. Inspired by the Day of the Dead—one of Mexico’s most beloved and representative traditions—the exhibition celebrates the deep cultural and spiritual meaning of this holiday.
At the heart of Día de Muertos is the belief that, each November, the souls of the departed return briefly to the world of the living to reunite with their families and enjoy the offerings prepared for them. Remembering those who have passed is seen as an act of love that keeps their spirit alive. Families and friends create ofrendas (altars), share food, music, and stories, and honor the essence of their loved ones—not with sorrow, but with gratitude and joy. This tradition transforms mourning into celebration, turning grief into a reaffirmation of life and connection.
This year’s exhibition, Día de Muertos: The Happiest Memory, honors the departed by asking artists to reflect on one joyful memory of someone they have lost—one vivid moment that captures the spirit of their loved one—and to create a work of art or altar inspired by that recollection. While we all carry many fond memories of those who have passed, this exhibition invites a focus on a single instance of happiness: a memory that continues to bring warmth and light even in absence.
Through this lens, the exhibition becomes a mosaic of love and remembrance—each piece a personal narrative, a visual poem, a tangible memory shared with the community. The works portray intimate moments: fishing with a relative, sharing a meal, exchanging a knowing glance, bursting into laughter, and countless other cherished experiences. Presented across all media, alongside both traditional and contemporary altars, the exhibition offers a vibrant and heartfelt tribute to the lives that continue to shape us through memory.
The artists featured in this show are Trish Allen, Paulina Altamirano, Henry Aschner, Rita Barnard, Nancy Bateman, Kristin E Bazan, Elizabeth Bentley, Jon Black, Lori Brennan, Maria Huron Brereton, Judith Burkart, Kimberly Byers, Hermila A. Cuevas, Jennifer Culver & Catharine Culver, Steve Danner, Enrique De Altamirano, Kathleen B. Donovan, Dan Dudley, Lori Dudley, Jeane Elliott Clayton, Gisa Elwazir, Stephen Evans, Jacque Forsher, Merry Fuhrer, Vanessa Galindo, Pastor García, Jade Germany, Mary Gonsiorek, Brandy González, Jeanne Spitler Guerra, Kathy Gutierrez, Jim Hastings, Alexandra Hernandez, Jesse Hernandez, Juan J. Hernandez, Josh Hickman, Erok Johanssen, Kasey Jones, Ruth A. Keitz, Joanna Lea La Grone-Headrick, Lisa Langford, Rebecca Lansdowne-Collins, J. Renae Lesley, Linda López, Joseph Luedecke, Liv Lujan, Miller Margo, Romulo Martinez, Ann McCann, Steve McDaniel, Cyndi McDonnell, Demarcus McGaughey, Martha Mendoza, Beverly Ann Moore (BAM), Karla Mora Mora, Bianca Mujica-Morales, Nancy E Munoz, Gloria Munson & Glenda Berryhill, Julio Oseguera, Larry Pile, Iris Pizarro Fuentes, Glenys M. Quick, Grisel Ofelia Rivera Hernández, Jorge Rivero, Roberto Romero, Aurora Santana, Raul Servin, Karen Anne Siebenhausen, Mary Tomlinson, Jose Vargas, Janet Vidales, Lori Whitaker, Aimee Wilson, Harmony Witte, Maggie Wolters, Wendy Woodring, and Vladimir Zúñiga.
Enrique Fernández Cervantes has curated this Bath House exhibition since 1999.
