Celebrating the state’s spirit of creativity, “Día de Los Muertos 2021: Espíritus Creativos de California” (“Day of the Dead 2021: Creative Spirits of California”) honors innovative Californians Eazy-E, Carrie Fisher, Ishi, Charles M. Schulz and John Steinbeck through original works by California artists Roberta Alvarado, Francisco Franco, John Hancock and Juan Ramos of John Juan Art, John S. Huerta and Rob-O of I Love Sugar Skulls.

A journey through life, love and death, the new exhibition explores the Mexican cultural tradition of honoring deceased loved ones each year on November 1 and 2 by displaying “calaveras de azúcar” (sugar skulls), “altares de muertos” (altars of the dead) and “ofrendas” (offerings), which has evolved from the Aztecs to modern-day Mexico and California. Visitors also are invited to celebrate a lost loved one in the exhibition’s Community Altar.