On the final day of the thirteenth annual community exhibition Ofrendas: Celebrating el Día de Muertos, join a special discussion with the artists who created the altars on view. The program will begin with representatives from the Mexican Consulate offering insight into the rich history of Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) and the tradition of Ofrenda altars. Each participating artist will then share the meaning and inspiration behind their altar and answer audience questions.

This program is for all ages, though some topics may be sensitive for children under 10.

Free with museum admission. Capacity is limited and seating begins 30 minutes before the program start.

This panel discussion features internationally recognized Detroit-based artist Israel Aten in conversation with Dr. Chassica Kirchhoff, Assistant Curator of European Sculpture and Decorative Arts, and Katie Pfohl, Associate Curator of Contemporary Art.

Through the lens of Aten’s multimedia body of work—and its exploration of identity, memory, and technology—the artist and two DIA curators will examine unexpected intersections between contemporary art and the armor and portraiture featured in Guests of Honor: Armor as Fashion.

This program, sponsored by the Visiting Committee for European Sculpture and Decorative Arts, is free, open to the public, and presented with live American Sign Language interpretation.

Image caption: Israel Aten, Untitled, 2017, Acrylic, oil stick, spray paint, sharpie 210 × 160 cm (82 ⅝ × 63 inches)

Gain a deeper appreciation for 18th-century American furniture as members of the Society of American Period Furniture Makers (SAPFM) demonstrate traditional hand-powered construction techniques—no electricity required!—and showcase beautifully finished works. SAPFM is a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating both its members and the public about period furniture, including its history, design, and traditional craftsmanship.

Guests can also enjoy a guided tour of the DIA’s 18th-century furniture collection. IPVs (Interpretive Program Volunteers) will be available from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for tours. Meet at the east Manoogian Wing entrance in the Great Hall.

This program is free with museum admission and takes place in the DIA’s Great Hall.

The DIA and Next Chapter Books are thrilled to host author Angeline Boulley for a live reading and signing during her Fall 2025 book release tour of Sisters in the Wind. Partners include South Eastern Michigan Indians, Inc. (SEMII), the North American Indian Association of Detroit (NAIA), and American Indian Health & Family Services (AIHFS). Taking place on Indigenous Peoples’ Day, this highly anticipated event will offer guests of Contemporary Anishinaabe Art: A Continuation a once-in-a-lifetime community experience.

Angeline Boulley, an enrolled member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, is a storyteller who writes about her Ojibwe community in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. She is a former Director of the Office of Indian Education at the U.S. Department of Education. Her debut novel Firekeeper's Daughter was an instant #1 New York Times bestseller and the recipient of numerous international accolades, including the ALA Printz and Morris Awards, the YA Goodreads Choice Award, and the Walter Award for Outstanding Children's Literature. Angeline lives in southwest Michigan, but her home will always be on Sugar Island.

Please join FAAC as we recap the programs and events of 2024–2025 and look ahead to what’s coming in 2025–2026. Also, Katherine Kasdorf, Curator of Arts of Asia and the Islamic World, will lead a tour featuring recent acquisitions in the Asian and Islamic Galleries.

Image: Hussein Madi (Labanese, 1938-2024) The Arabic Alphabet, 1973, aquatint. Detroit Institute of Arts, Gift of Dr. Sami Khalife, 2023.88

Be among the first to experience the DIA's newest exhibition, Contemporary Anishinaabe Art: A Continuation, during this exclusive Member Preview. 

Other exclusive member events this weekend:

• Lecture with exhibition curator Denene De Quintal, 6 p.m. Friday
• Lecture with exhibition artist Jonathan Thunder, 1 p.m. Saturday

Experience the highlights of the Detroit Institute of Arts on a free, guided tour with American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation. 

Explore some of the museum’s most beloved works of art while learning about the stories, history, and artists behind them. 

Tours meet in the Great Hall at 1 p.m. and last approximately 45 to 60 minutes. 

Common Threads is a museum art-making experience that brings together fiber artists from the tri-county area to explore creativity and mindfulness as a community. Whether you're into crochet, knitting, or embroidery, this event offers a chance to connect with fellow makers while working on your craft.

The experience begins with a guided tour of the special exhibition Painted with Silk, led by museum studio staff. Afterward, participants will have the opportunity to work on their own fiber projects in the serene Crystal Gallery, located above the Detroit Film Theatre.

Please bring your ongoing projects along with any necessary tools, such as hooks and needles. Materials will not be provided.

Tour & celebrate the exhibition Tiff Massey: 7 Mile + Livernois with Founders Junior Council and enjoy lite bites and entertainment immediately following.

Experience the highlights of the DIA on a free guided tour with American Sign Language interpretation. Tours meet in the Great Hall at 1 p.m. and last approximately 45–60 minutes.