About BareHands

Bare Hands’ annual Día de los Muertos festival began in 2003 when we hosted artist Tracy Martin's Day of the Dead inspired memorial installation and reception for her late father, Spider Martin. Unprompted, some attendees brought mementos of their lost loved ones to that gathering. The sense of shared loss, remembrance, and support became the catalyst for the festival held each November 2 since 2003. Our commemoration brings community partners together to create an event that honors Día de los Muertos, incorporates two Southern U.S. remembrance traditions, and celebrates arts and culture. Learn more at BareHands's website.

About the Workshop at AEIVA

Making a memorial altar (ofrenda) box for a lost loved one is a creative and rewarding way to remember them. This workshop will take place in the Hess Lecture Hall off of the Atrium at the Abroms-Engel Institute for the Visual Arts (AEIVA). Due to limited space, Registration is required!

The Memorial Altar Box Workshop at AEIVA will be led by featured artist Helga Mendoza, who whose artwork is also on view in the exhibition Alabama Triennial 2025: Currents. Her work springs from her encounters with death and loss, her spiritual upbringing, and her Colombian heritage. 

Registration Information

Most boxes begin with a photo and build from there, layer by layer. You can look up “small ofrenda boxes” to find inspiration images.  Let your heart and imagination be your guide!

What - A hands-on workshop led by Triennial exhibition artist Helga Mendoza and Bare Hands' artists and teachers.
How Much - Free of charge. Registration is required!
When - Please arrive by 5:00, if you can, so that we can make introductions and begin the workshop as a group at 5:10.
How to Register - Registration via Eventbrite

We provide -

• Cigar boxes, loads of art supplies and decorations.

You bring -

• A copy of a photo of your loved one - color copies, even of black & white photos, are best.
• Small replicas or images of things they enjoyed - foods, beverages, hobbies, sports, work, organizations, books, shows.
• Copies of letters, postcards, ticket stubs, quotes - copies are best so that precious mementos don’t get lost or damaged.
• Things that remind you of them.

Don’t have a printed copy of the photo? No problem!

Email it to aimee.castro@barehandsinc.org and we will print it for you. We can also print or make a copy of your original photograph in class.

Most boxes begin with a photo and build from there, layer by layer. You can look up “small ofrenda boxes” to find inspiration images. Let your heart and imagination be your guide!

If you want to arrive before 5:00, the galleries will be open so that you can see the current exhibition and Helga's work in the Alabama Triennial 2025: Currents.