LA Antiochians Build Cultural Bridges with Dia de los Muertos Ofrenda

Antioch University created an intricate ofrenda for the Dia de los Muertos celebration at Gloria Molina Grand Park in downtown Los Angeles. The ofrenda, or altar, was created by students, faculty, and staff from Antioch’s Los Angeles campus, especially those from the MA in Clinical Psychology, which sponsored it. The ofrenda paid tribute to the departed and highlighted Antioch’s commitment to fostering social justice, cultural awareness, and student engagement. 

“As a university grounded in social justice, we know the importance of connecting to the diverse cultural identities of our students and faculty,” explains Julie Rodriguez. Rodriguez is a Program Coordinator for the MA in Clinical Psychology and is co-founder of that program’s Spiritual and Depth Psychology specialization. This mission, she says, is why the University’s ofrenda was “not just an art installation—it’s a community-building project that honors our shared histories and traditions.”

Altars with Deep Roots

The origins of Antioch’s participation in the Dia de los Muertos event trace back to Rodriguez’s personal journey of cultural rediscovery. After losing her father, she began visiting the altars that go up every year at Gloria Molina Grand Park. Eventually she felt compelled to create an altar herself. Last year, the first Antioch ofrenda honored at its center Keenan Anderson, a former student who tragically died in LAPD custody after a traffic stop on January 3, 2023. (Read the article about last year’s altar in the Antioch Alumni Magazine.) The altar, while drawing attention to sorrow and injustice, also gave opportunities for reflection, celebration, and a sense of community.

“That experience inspired me to continue the tradition,” says Rodriguez. “For me, this is part of my decolonization process. I’m Mexican American, but I grew up very Americanized, so I’ve had to educate myself about my cultural heritage.”

This year’s altar expanded on last year’s themes with a new creative vision. Instead of a traditional altar, the team constructed a large tree, symbolizing Antioch’s seal. The tree’s branches formed arches adorned with tissue paper marigolds made by members of the Antioch community. In this reimagination of the traditional altar, Rodriguez noted that each element of the altar was intentional, representing the four directions and the four elements of earth, wind, fire, and water.

Collaboration and Cultural Integrity

Much of the project’s success came from the collaborative efforts of Antioch faculty, staff, and students. Leading the spiritual aspect of the altar was Celina Jacques, an affiliate faculty member and apprentice curandera. Jacques brought her expertise in indigenous traditions, ensuring the altar honored its cultural roots.

Antioch altar for Dia de los Muertos, colorful display of orange with flowers, picture, and a sculpture of a tree.

“Celina’s guidance was invaluable,” says Rodriguez. “She even had a dream about a tree, which aligned perfectly with our vision. She provided a blessing for the altar during its construction and helped ensure that each element—from the Aztec medicine wheel to the offerings—was culturally meaningful.”

Jacques, who works in private practice and collaborates with organizations like the Indigenous Circle of Wellness, describes her approach to healing as one deeply rooted in traditional practices. “I support clients in creating their own rituals for self-healing,” she says. “Sometimes, this involves referring them to others for more in-depth work, but often it’s about helping them build personal practices that honor their roots and foster connection.”

For Jacques, ofrendas have a special significance in community healing. “An ofrenda is a cultural way to move through grief collectively and practice honoring life,” she explains. “It allows us to focus on love rather than pain, to tell stories, and to keep the memory of our loved ones alive. Unlike the somber rituals typical in Western traditions, Dia de los Muertos is about celebrating life in a vibrant, intentional way.”

Jacques also notes that incorporating indigenous elements, such as the Mexica medicine wheel, added deeper meaning to the altar. “We used the four directions—north, south, east, and west—to represent different aspects of life and emotion,” she says. “The north, symbolized by black beans, honors our ancestors, while the south, represented by blue, focuses on emotions and children. East and west, symbolized by white and red respectively, represent new beginnings and transformation.”

Engaging the Antioch Community

Building the altar was a collective effort involving students, faculty, and even the LA campus’ CEO, Mark Hower, who helped craft flowers for the installation. The MAP program hosted a flower-making event during a fall mixer, which drew significant participation from students across various programs.

“Last year, we only had a handful of participants,” Rodriguez recalls. “This year, we re-strategized, holding events in more visible areas and collaborating with the undergraduate program. The result was two large bags full of handmade marigolds and a vibrant community atmosphere.”

For Jacques, the event was also a powerful teaching moment. “This is a way to offer MAP students an expanded worldview,” she says. “It’s not just about learning a new tool for their future work as therapists; it’s about experiencing a different way to support people through grief and healing. It broadens their lens on what’s possible and encourages them to incorporate meaningful rituals into their practice.”

Jacques emphasizes how the ofrenda aligns with Antioch’s social justice mission. “Social justice isn’t just theoretical. It’s about uplifting voices and traditions that might otherwise be overlooked,” Jacques says. “This event embodies those values by giving students and faculty a tangible way to engage with a culturally significant practice.”

Jacques also highlights the importance of incorporating anti-colonial perspectives in her teaching and practice, including when it comes to Dia de los Muertos. “We have to strip away consumerism and bring it back to the heart of the tradition,” she says. “This isn’t about costumes or commercialization—it’s about honoring life, grief, and our ancestors in a deeply intentional way.”

A Broader Impact

Throughout the two-week display, the ofrenda attracted thousands of visitors, including local officials, school groups, and members of the public. According to Rodriguez, approximately 10,000 to 15,000 people viewed the altars daily, with additional media coverage amplifying Antioch’s message of cultural engagement.

“We received so much positive feedback,” Rodriguez says. “One young man spent a long time looking at the altar and reading the descriptions. He later approached our admissions table and asked for more information about Antioch. Moments like that show the power of what we’re doing.”

Jacques also notes the ripple effect the event can have. “Once people learn about ofrendas, they often feel inspired to create their own,” she says. “It’s a way to share stories, honor loved ones, and build connections across generations. That’s a beautiful and invaluable experience for everyone involved.”

The project culminated on November 2 with a closing ceremony. For Rodriguez, on the experience caused her to feel gratitude to Antioch for providing the space and support to bring this vision to life. “This project is my passion,” Rodriguez says. “It’s my way of giving back to the community and honoring my ancestors. As long as we’re invited to participate, I’ll continue building these altars and helping others connect with their cultural roots.”

Jacques shares similar sentiments about the future. “There’s something happening—a shift towards greater openness and inclusion,” she says. “It’s exciting to be part of a community and a university willing to embrace that shift and create meaningful change.”

Jacques hopes to continue blending her therapeutic background with her cultural practices, both at Antioch and beyond. “Whether in the classroom or in private practice, I bring my identity and worldview into the space,” she says. “I encourage students to explore their ancestral roots, to reframe grief and loss through the lens of traditional practices, and to embrace holistic approaches to healing.”

Both Rodriguez and Jacques see Antioch’s continued involvement in events like this as a vital way to live out the university’s mission. “It’s about more than just education,” says Rodriguez. “It’s about fostering real connection, understanding, and healing across communities.”