The Heckscher Museum of Art in Huntington is holding a free Día de los Muertos family celebration on Sunday, Nov. 1, from noon to 5 p.m., with a community ofrenda visitors can add to, mariachi music through the afternoon and art-making with three artists.

The ofrenda

Artist Filiberto Perez-Mendoza, who was born in Mixquiahuala, Hidalgo, Mexico, is designing this year's ofrenda, the altar at the center of the holiday. The museum invites visitors to bring photographs or personal items to leave on it in memory of loved ones. Perez-Mendoza's work, which has been shown across Long Island, draws on Aztec figures and Mexican culture. He is joined by Sueey Gutierrez, a New York artist of Salvadoran and Mayan heritage, and Manuel Alejandro Macarrulla, who will lead activities with families.

What families can do

Activities run all afternoon: Mexican-style calaveras, maraca decorating, mask making, face painting and flower crowns. Alejandro Gonzalez and friends will perform mariachi music throughout the day. Churros, pan de muerto, hot chocolate and coffee are free, donated by The Oaxaca Restaurant, Mac Bounce Party Rentals, the Town of Huntington Institute of Human Services and Bond St. Coffee and Goods.

The celebration is organized with Latina Moms Connect, the Town of Huntington Hispanic Advisory Task Force, The Oaxaca Restaurant, Mac Bounce Party Rentals and The Huntington Human Services Institute.

Saturday, too

The day before, on Halloween, the museum runs a free drop-in Halloween activity for kids from noon to 5 p.m. Children can come in costume for an art project and a treat.

The painting turning 100

Both days are a chance to see the museum's current exhibition, Eclipse of the Sun Now, which marks 100 years of George Grosz's political painting Eclipse of the Sun, painted in 1926 and held by the Heckscher. The exhibition runs through May 9, 2027. Alongside it, an interactive station in the Central Gallery invites visitors to write a message of hope, leave it for someone else and receive one from another visitor out of a vending machine, with a sticker or small surprise for younger guests. The museum also offers verbal descriptions of selected works and a tactile station developed with its accessibility advisory group.

During the Día de los Muertos event, household memberships are half price and come with a free Eclipse of the Sun Now tote bag.

Later in November

On Saturday, Nov. 21, from 1 to 3 p.m., a drop-in workshop called Mapping Belonging has families shaping clay shells for a community map inspired by Courtney M. Leonard's work in the show. It is recommended for ages 7 and up and costs $10 per child, free for members.

How to go

The Heckscher Museum of Art, 2 Prime Avenue, Huntington, in Heckscher Park. Día de los Muertos Family Celebration: Sunday, Nov. 1, noon to 5 p.m., free. Museum hours are Thursday through Sunday, noon to 5 p.m., and general admission is free through a grant from Bank of America. Groups of 15 or more should call 631-380-3230 before visiting.

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