Community-Created ‘Nichos’ Honor Loved Ones at Burton Barr Central Library

A tiny box can hold a lifetime of memories.

At Burton Barr Central Library, community members are honoring people they have lost through colorful creations called nichos as part of the library's Día de los Muertos celebration.

"It's a shadow box that honors somebody either in your family, a celebrity, somebody who has passed and that you want to pay tribute to during this time," organizers said.

The display celebrates Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, a tradition centered on remembering loved ones who have died. Each nicho is created and contributed by community members, making every piece a unique tribute.

"All the Nichos come from the community and each one tells a personal story with no single way to create it," Phoenix Public Library Web Content Librarian Kristl Chavez said.

Participants are encouraged to personalize their creations.

"You bring your own thing. It's about you and the person you're paying homage to," Chavez said.

Visitors can also take part by sharing memories at the community altar or writing a message in honor of someone special. Community members may bring a wallet-size photocopy of a loved one to add to the photo wall.

In addition to the nicho display, a scavenger hunt guides visitors to other exhibits throughout the library.

"Everyone is so different and it doesn't need to be beautiful, it just has to be representative of that person and it will be seen by lots of people, which is the point to be remembered," Chavez said.

The exhibit runs through November 6 on the second floor of Burton Barr Central Library near the Arizona Room.

Visitors are invited to explore the community stories on display and remember someone special in their own lives.

Find more information at phoenixpubliclibrary.org.