Día de los Muertos Caminata

This year's logo features a Mariachi calavera adapted from a design painted on a set of glass coasters we acquired from an unknown source in the United States. Its journey is fitting, reflecting how the spirit of Día de los Muertos has spread far beyond Mexico since José Guadalupe Posada first introduced La Catrina in 1913.

Today, Catrina-inspired calaveras have become enduring symbols in both Mexican and American culture, reimagined in countless forms—including, in this case, the iconic Mariachi Charro. They appear everywhere, from everyday household items to museum-quality works of art. Few images are as instantly recognizable around the world as La Catrina, a symbol that has come to embody the richness and artistry of Mexican culture.

As this year's logo illustrates, the calaveras of Día de los Muertos are not macabre or frightening. They are vibrant, welcoming, and full of joy—celebrating the enduring bond between the living and the dead, and reminding us that love and memory outlive death itself.

Previous Artwork Used for La Caminata

The first Caminata, held in 2020 at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, emerged from a time of isolation and uncertainty. As social distancing discouraged public gatherings, the event offered a small circle of family and friends the opportunity to come together outdoors in support of a worthy cause while minimizing the risk of exposure. Its intimate, informal nature required no logo; none was conceived or used.

In 2021, La Caminata became an annual tradition as family and friends of the co-founders were invited by word of mouth to join the procession. Commemorative T-shirts were introduced to help draw attention to the history that inspired the event.

The 2021 logo was adapted from a photograph taken during the Día de los Muertos Parade in Mexico City in October 2019. It features the founders' granddaughter, whose face was painted as a calavera catrina by street artisans on the day of the parade. The image beautifully captures the spirit of Día de los Muertos and the remembrance that lies at the heart of La Caminata.

The 2022 Caminata logo features Baile de Calacas, a vibrant 1984 work by renowned artist Sam Coronado. With dancing skeletons that embody the joyful spirit of Día de los Muertos, the piece reminds us that those who have passed endure through memory, culture, and remembrance. An accomplished printmaker and activist, Coronado gave visual voice to el Movimiento Chicano through artwork steeped in Mexican American heritage and symbolism. He founded the Serie Project and co-founded Austin’s Mexic-Arte Museum, helping cultivate generations of Latino artists. His work has been exhibited throughout the United States, Mexico, and Europe. Before his untimely passing in 2013, the Austin Visual Arts Association honored him with its Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing a lifetime devoted to art, culture, and community.

The artwork commemorating the Fourth Annual Caminata in 2023 is La Sugar Skull, an original painting by Austin artist Janie Compean-Nemeth. Raised in Port Isabel, Janie is an accomplished painter whose Mexican-inspired works are celebrated for their vibrant colors, cultural richness, and distinctive artistic vision. Inspired by one of Día de los Muertos' most enduring symbols, La Sugar Skull honors the tradition of the decorated calavera, which adorns ofrendas as both ornament and sweet offering. Through its vivid imagery, the painting captures the joyful spirit of remembrance that lies at the heart of the celebration.

Created to commemorate the Fifth Anniversary of La Caminata, the 2024 logo features Laughing in the Face of Death, an original work by San Benito artist Ramon Claudio. His artistic journey began painting drywall before evolving into portraits, landscapes, and large-scale murals. Though he honed his craft through apprenticeships with accomplished artists, Ramon is largely self-taught—a testament to the talent, discipline, and passion that have earned his work widespread admiration. Today, his paintings and murals enliven private homes, restaurants, community gathering places, building facades, and even a Little League dugout, reflecting an artistry that has become an enduring part of the South Texas landscape.

The 2025 logo features a handcrafted Catrina muñeca from the artisan town of Quiroga, Michoacán, Mexico. Its origins trace back to the work of renowned printmaker and political cartoonist José Guadalupe Posada, who created the elegant skeleton lady as a satirical reminder that death is the great equalizer, indifferent to wealth, social status, or power. Over time, La Catrina transcended its political origins to become one of the most enduring and beloved symbols of Día de los Muertos—a graceful embodiment of remembrance, celebration, and the timeless bond between the living and those who came before us.

All original artwork for La Caminata logos is in the private art collection of La Caminata’s founders.