The Festival

Visit wallawalladdlm.com for more information

The Dia De Los Muertos Steamroller Print Project brings together artists, students, local businesses, and the community for a collaborative art event inspired by the "Day of the Dead" holiday where people throughout Latin America gather to celebrate the lives of departed friends and family.

More than 1,500 people in the Walla Walla region come to this free event, which brings together an incredibly diverse group. This festival came about because of the vision and collaboration of organizations across the city, including Shakespeare Walla Walla, Art Walla, Carnegie Picture Lab and Whitman College Art Department.

As part of the festival Nicole Pietrantoni's Whitman art students collaboratively print giant woodcuts using a steamroller. For over a month before the festival, Beginning Printmaking students hand-carve their designs on 4-by-4-foot and 4-by-8-foot sheets of medium density fiberboard. These designs depict iconic Dia de los Muertos images, such as skulls, skeletons, harvest, and nature. The steamroller is then used as the printing press to create giant prints on cloth which are on display and for sale after the festival. The students also help teach community members how to carve their own mini-relief blocks, which could be printed on t-shirts using the steamroller. The resounding success of the inaugural Dia de los Muertos was due to the enthusiasm and support of local organizations, schools and the community.

Weekend Schedule

Day One - Procession

12 pm: Join us in the green space across from Earthlight Books at 321 E. Main Street, Walla Walla for masking decorating, crafts, and snacks before the procession.

Juntese con nosotros en el espacio en frente de Earthlight Books, 321 E Calle Main en Walla Walla para disfrutar de las actividades como ponerse mascaras, decoraciónes, aperitivos antes de la procesión.

1:15 PM: All families, people, and community groups are invited to join the Procession down Main Street. Starting at 321 E. Main Street to the Marcus Whitman Hotel 6 E. Rose Street.

Toda la comunidad está invitada a participar en la proceción por la Calle Main, empezando cerca del Colegio Whitman hasta el Hotel Whitman en la Calle Rose.

2 pm: Coco | FREE movie screening at Marcus Whitman Hotel, 6 W. Rose Street, Walla Walla (limited seating)

La película Coco | en el Hotel Marcus Whitman – Gratis

Day Two - Main Festival

Location: On Main Street, Walla Walla between 3rd and 4th Street

Calle Main entre las calles 3rd y 4th

FREE art activities, music, dance, and community altars
Actividades gratuitas, música, baile y altares comunitarios

Food vendors with food for purchase
Puestos de comida para vender

Admission and all activities are free and open to the public. 

Food vendors will be present.