History Colorado has unveiled its annual altar, or ofrenda, in honor of Dia de los Muertos, continuing the tradition of remembering those who have passed away.
This year, the altar specifically honors Rita Flores de Wallace, an influential figure in Denver’s Mexican folk art scene who passed away in April.
Rita was affectionately known as Denver’s “First Lady” of Mexican folk art, a title her widower, John “Juanito” Wallace, reiterated during the altar’s construction on Friday.
“She is my life. I got involved in all these community activities — and it wasn’t just Latinos, she was in everything,” said Wallace.
He further expressed pride in her extensive artwork, which has been widely distributed across local libraries, museums, and private collections.
With a career spanning over 40 years, Flores de Wallace played a pivotal role in nurturing the vibrant Mexican folk art scene in Denver.
Her artwork has been displayed in various esteemed venues, including the Denver Art Museum, the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, and El Pueblo History Museum, among others both nationally and internationally.
The altar’s primary artist, Cal Duran, who was the last student of Flores de Wallace, expressed his admiration for her impact on the community.
“Rita really did bring the tradition from her lineage to Colorado for Day of the Dead. And for me, it’s just really about a celebration of life and death as one,” Duran explained.
Duran also emphasized the importance of having a community altar, which serves as a reminder of the universal connection all people share despite the inevitability of death.
In conjunction with Duran, students from a Metropolitan State University group called “Journey Through Our Heritage” assisted in setting up the altar while learning about its significance and traditions.
The intricate altar, known as an ofrenda, features the four elements of earth, wind, fire, and air, reflective of traditional practices.
At History Colorado, the air element is signified by a large papier-mâché heart that has woven strings at its core, complemented by traditional paper banners, known as papel picado.
The central part of the altar, representing earth, prominently displays a large skeleton along with various photos of Flores de Wallace.
Furthermore, the lowest level of the altar symbolizes the underworld, creating a comprehensive homage to the cycle of life and death.
Before constructing the ofrenda, Duran performed a ceremonial blessing to prepare the space for honoring so many ancestors.
“It’s really important to do that just because we will be honoring so many ancestors,” he stated, highlighting the respect and reverence central to the celebration.
Flores de Wallace’s contributions to the art world were evidenced earlier in 2020 when her family donated a substantial collection of her tapestries and textiles to History Colorado, facilitated by the “Journey Through Our Heritage” initiative and the Chicano Humanities Arts Council.
John Wallace noted that this recognition during Dia de los Muertos serves as a significant addition to his wife’s legacy in Denver.
The couple’s journey began in 1980 when John, a Denver teacher, met Rita during a trip to Mexico, after which she relocated to Denver.
Rita Flores de Wallace was not only an accomplished artist but also served as the dance director for Teatro Latina de Colorado and worked as a consultant and choreographer for Fiesta Colorado.
She took a lead role in establishing celebrations for Dia de los Muertos and Dia del Niño in Denver, further enriching the local cultural landscape.
Renee Fajardo, a long-time mentee of Flores de Wallace, watched the altar being constructed and remarked that this communal project is a fitting tribute to her teacher.
“She was one of the original altar makers and literally taught thousands of students here in Colorado about the history of Dia de los Muertos,” Fajardo emphasized.
The ofrenda will be on display in the lobby of History Colorado through the beginning of November, offering a space for the community to remember and celebrate their loved ones.
image source from：denverite
