Shrine Proposal

El Día de los Muertos 2008

Shrine Proposal

Community groups, individuals, and artists are invited to create small shrines to be displayed outdoors in the Indianapolis Art Center’s ARTSPARK, a 12-acre creativity park as part of our annual El Día de los Muertos/The Day of the Dead exhibitions.

Download 2008 Shrine Proposal Form >>

Please contact us if you have any questions: Laura Alvarado, Director of Outreach (317) 255-2464 ext. 235 or LAlvarado@indplsartcenter.org or Patrick Flaherty, Exhibitions Associate (317) 255-2464 ext. 238 or pflaherty@indplsartcenter.org

Proposal Deadline Friday, September 5
Exhibition Dates Monday, October 27-Sunday, November 9
Pick up Crate Contact us to make an appointment
Deliver Shrine Monday, Oct. 13-Friday, Oct. 17, 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
Celebration Date Saturday, November 1, 3-8 p.m.
Pick Up Shrine Tuesday, November 11, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
  Wednesday, November 12, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
  Thursday, November 13, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

About the Shrine

A shrine serves as a type of memorial dedicated to an individual or a group of people who have died. Shrines range in size and scope. Many of us are familiar with a wide variety of shrines here in the United States—ranging from the World War II Memorial to small roadside shrines filled with pictures, flowers, and notes.

All shrines provide relatives, friends, and the public an opportunity to honor and reflect upon the lives led by those who have died. Shrines, like altars, have become a way of telling stories about people. They provide individuals in the community another way to express and transform loss into an experience of beauty.

The Art Center’s shrine exhibition plays an integral role in the El Día de los Muertos celebration to be held Saturday, October 27, 2007, 3-8 p.m. Those in attendance will be able to view the shrines along a lit path in ARTSPARK. Tours of the exhibition will also be scheduled with community groups throughout the run of the show.

Image above:
by Michael Koby

How do I make a shrine?
  • Complete the shrine proposal form (submit by Wednesday, September 5, 2007).
  • Once your shrine proposal is accepted, make an appointment to pick up a wooden wine crate provided by the Art Center (sizes vary, but most crates are 19”x12”x7”deep). The crate is the main structure for your shrine.
  • Place memorial items in and/or around the crate. Be creative! Items used in your shrine must be securely adhered to the box in some way. (Since shrines will be outdoors, please remember that the Art Center cannot be held responsible for any items that may be taken from the shrine or vandalized.)
  • Make sure the display is weatherproof. We recommend some type of sealant—such as an outdoor polyurethane spray.
  • The Art Center will place mounting hardware on the crate before you pick it up. After you deliver your shrine, we will install and light each shrine on a pole outside in ARTSPARK.