November 1st is Mexico’s national holiday, Dia De Le Muertos. On this day essentially, the natives celebrate their loved ones lives instead of mourning their death. They also believe this serves as an aid in the deceased’s spiritual journey in the afterlife. During the celebration, family and friends will traditionally build altars to honor their lost loved ones. The shrines, if you will, are then adorned with sugar skulls, marigolds, favorite foods and beverages. #nelsonatkins #diadelosmuertos #kansascity #ericnielsenkc This year the Nelson-Atkins created a day full of artistic expressions culminating in a towering centerpiece in Kirkwood Hall featuring over one hundred paper maché skulls decorated in collaboration with the Mattie Rhodes Center, local artists, area students and the museum community. While the holiday is celebrated worldwide and in many different ways the true Day of the Dead originated in Mexico. (at The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art)