On Saturday, Nov 1, 2025, the Mexican Heritage Plaza (La Plaza) will host its eleventh annual Avenida de Altares (Avenue of the Altars) celebrating Dia de Los Muertos.
The main feature of this event is a curated altar walk, starting at the intersection of Alum Rock Ave and King Road, and ending before the entrance of Highway 101. Community members and family from afar can immerse themselves in a massive installation celebrating our connections to our ancestors. This grand event also features the “Afterlife” group art show, a catrin/a costume contest, luchadores, multicultural performances, traditional and festival foods, and a headlining band inside La Plaza.
La Plaza is looking to connect with Eastside families, artists, and community organizations to create beautiful and meaningful altars for Avenida de Altares. Altar Artists will design and install an Altar that fits their designated space. Some altars will be selected for display indoors, while others will be selected for display outdoors along Alum Rock Ave. In total, there will be 40 altars on public display!
Altar artists are encouraged to exercise creative freedom and present traditional or contemporary-minded designs. Family-friendly altars expressing social and political views, or highlighting specific cultural practices, are welcomed. No open flames, fog machines, or alcoholic beverages are allowed.
Lobby Altar Installation
Artists building altars for the Lobby will have their work on public view for at least a week prior to the event. Some altars will be on view for a month prior. These altars will be the highlight of indoor festivities during the event and will be available for viewing during that week. All Lobby altars must be broken down by Nov 5, 2025. Each Lobby altar is eligible for a flat honorarium of $550.
Artists selected to create altars in the Lobby will be matched to specific locations within the lower or upper Lobby. Depending on location, the first round of altars must be built Sept 29 - Oct 3, 2025, and the second round of altars must be built Oct 20 - Oct 24, 2025. Altars inside the Lobby should extend no more than 4’ deep. They must be no smaller than 6’ wide and 3’ deep. MHP will provide one 8’ table (96”L x 30”D) and two bunches of marigolds per altar in the Lobby.
Avenue Altar Installation
Artists building altars for Alum Rock Ave will have their work on public view on the day of the event (Nov 1). These altars will be located on the sidewalk and integrated with business storefronts. They will be installed the morning of the event and be broken down the same night. Each Avenue altar is eligible for a flat honorarium of $400. Community organizations creating altars will be paid a flat honorarium of $150.
Artists selected to create altars for the Avenue will be matched to specific business locations. All altars on the Avenue must be installed on Nov 1, between 10 am - 2 pm, and broken down the same night between 10 pm - 12 am. Altars along the Avenue should be sturdy, and made of materials that are able to withstand an outdoor environment. They should extend no deeper than 4’ out. MHP will provide one 6’ table (72”L x 30” D), two bunches of marigolds, and outdoor Lighting per altar on the Ave.
Participation Requirements
To participate, altar artists must submit the following no later than Tues, Aug 19 at 10 pm PST:
A sketch of the altar design labeling materials used
A brief explanation of the altar themes, along with any corresponding features to highlight
This signed agreement
A bio (150 words max) and a hi-res headshot
Selected artists will be notified by Tues, Sept 5 with details on the placement of their altar. Submissions should be emailed to esther@schoolofartsandculture.org and santi@schoolofartsandculture.org.