In a poignant tribute to the beloved Rita Flores de Wallace, Denver’s ‘First Lady’ of Mexican folk art, History Colorado is hosting a vibrant altar, or ofrenda, to commemorate Dia de los Muertos this year.
The lobby of the museum serves as a sacred space for community members to contribute items, write memories about their loved ones who have passed, or simply reflect on the lives they wish to honor.
Rita Flores de Wallace, who passed away in April, dedicated over 40 years to enriching Denver’s cultural landscape with her artwork and involvement in diverse community activities.
Her husband, John ‘Juanito’ Wallace, expressed the deep impact of her life and work.
“She is my life. I got involved in all these community activities — and it wasn’t just Latinos, she was in everything,” he shared during the altar’s construction on Friday.
“Her artwork is all over the place too. So a lot of it sold, some of it was given away, some of it’s in the library or the museum and I still have some too.”
Flores de Wallace is celebrated for her significant contributions to the Mexican folk art scene, showcasing her work at prestigious venues such as the Denver Art Museum, the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, and the El Pueblo History Museum, among others locally, nationally, and internationally.
The main artist behind this year’s altar is Cal Duran, who was Flores de Wallace’s last student. They began their artistic collaboration in 2021.
“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,” said Duran about the significance of the communal altar.
He highlighted the universal theme of life’s transience, emphasizing the importance of remembering the stories of loved ones.
Students from the Metropolitan State University group, “Journey Through Our Heritage,” assisted Duran in setting up the altar, gaining insights into its cultural importance and history.
The ofrenda traditionally embodies the four elements: earth, wind, fire, and air.
At History Colorado, the air element is represented by a large papier-mâché heart adorned with woven strings and a traditional paper banner, known as papel picado.
The center of the altar signifies earth, showcasing a huge skeleton and photographs of Flores de Wallace, while the bottom level symbolizes the underworld.
Before commencing the setup, Duran performed a blessing to honor the ancestors being recognized at the altar, underscoring the significance of this preparatory ritual.
“It’s really important to do that just because we will be honoring so many ancestors,” he said, emphasizing the spiritual element of the event.
The legacy of Rita Flores de Wallace has been an integral part of History Colorado for decades.
In 2020, her extensive collection of tapestries and textiles was donated to the museum with the support of the “Journey Through Our Heritage” program and the Chicano Humanities Arts Council.
John Wallace reflected on how the honor bestowed upon his late wife during Dia de los Muertos contributes to her enduring legacy within the Denver community.
Married in 1980 while John was on a trip to Mexico, Rita brought rich cultural traditions to the city, making significant contributions as the dance director of Teatro Latina de Colorado and a choreographer for Fiesta Colorado.
She also played a pivotal role in establishing Denver’s Dia de los Muertos and Dia del Niño celebrations.
Renee Fajardo, a long-time mentee of Flores de Wallace, observed the construction of the altar, stating that this collaborative art project was a fitting way to honor her mentor.
“This woman literally taught thousands upon thousands of students here in Colorado about the history of Dia de los Muertos,” Fajardo remarked, highlighting her role as a pioneer in altar-making traditions.
The ofrenda will remain on display in History Colorado’s lobby through early November, serving as a vibrant reminder of the continued celebration of life and memory within the community.
image source from：denverite
