The Ofrenda Community Project
A collaboration between the Museum & WriteGirl
Community voices within Museum exhibits bring added value, perspectives, and spirit. In partnership with WriteGirl, a creative writing and mentoring organization that promotes creativity and critical thinking, the Community Engagement team at the Museum created The Ofrenda Project. Participants received at-home storytelling kits anchored in the ofrenda or altar located in the Becoming Los Angeles exhibition. WriteGirl youth selected an object in the ofrenda they connect to, wrote a story inspired by the object, and crafted an object of their own to add to the ofrenda. Below you will find their reflections and stories inspired by the ofrenda.
We want to hear from you too! What blows your mind about the Becoming Los Angeles ofrenda at #NHMLA? Virtually celebrate L.A. with us by sharing an object that represents your community or making an object of your own to add to the ofrenda. Don't forget to tag and share #MyLAStory with us—you could be featured next!
WriteGirl is a Community Partner of NHM (What's this? Learn more).
An Altar for Los Angeles
The WriteGirl writers reflected on this colorful altar that lives in the Becoming Los Angeles exhibition at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. The altar pays homage to the people and history of the region that is now known as Los Angeles.
This altar is on display in NHM's Becoming Los Angeles exhibition. The exhibition tells the story of how Los Angeles transformed from a tiny pueblo to a sprawling metropolis.
The backdrop to the ofrenda is Nuestra Señora la Reina de Los Ángeles, an angel that overlooks the Pueblo de Los Angeles or Olvera Street.
The ofrenda brings together objects and symbols that connect to many cultures, including the Indigenous community of L.A. Pictured here is a handcrafted ceramic sun, "Conoce Tus Raices" mural miniature depicting Toy Purina, and a ti'at canoe.
The ofrenda celebrates the thriving Armenian community that calls L.A. home with miniature Armenian dolls, a replica of the Armenian Genocide Memorial, and an Artsakh commemorative plate depicting the "We Are Our Mountains" monument.
