The Altar Project

The Festival will distribute 50 free altar kits to members of the San Antonio community who have suffered the loss of someone one due to COVID-19 or social injustice so they can build a small altar or ofrenda in the safety of their home. The kit will provide components of an ofrenda, assembled and created by local artists and overseen by San Antonio artist José Sotelo: candles, pan muerto, fabric dyed with marigold extracts by local artist Amada Miller, a rendition of a monarch butterfly, sugar skulls, marigold flowers grown by Cecile Parrish of Eco Centro, and a reusable art box designed by Jose Sotelo. Altar construction directions will be included.

We’ll also tag a butterfly in your loved one’s name and release it to join the magnificent monarch butterfly migration in October, when monarchs move through San Antonio. If your butterfly is recovered on the forest floor in Mexico and reported, we’ll let you know. Recoveries are announced in the spring.

Altar kit distribution will be first come first serve.

If you have lost someone one and would like a free kit, please fill out this form.