By Hola Iowa
This fall, the Figge Art Museum in downtown Davenport celebrates not only its 100th anniversary and 20 years in its iconic riverfront building, but also marks two decades of a cultural partnership with Hola America. Together, they’ve transformed Día de los Muertos into one of the region’s most beloved community traditions. But this event represents something deeper than institutional milestones: It’s a testament to how sustained collaboration can weave cultural traditions that are revered for generations.
A Legacy That Began in 1925
The story of the Figge Art Museum begins a century ago, when former Davenport Mayor Charles August Ficke donated 334 works of art to create the Davenport Municipal Art Gallery. This founding collection — later enriched by gifts from figures like C.T. Lindley, Clara Brandt, and Dr. Walter Neiswanger — laid the foundation for what would become one of the Midwest’s premier art institutions. Over the decades, the museum’s holdings expanded to include world-class collections of American, Haitian, Spanish Colonial, and contemporary art, shaping the Figge into a cultural hub for the Quad Cities and beyond.
In 2005, the museum took a bold step into the future with the opening of its striking glass building designed to be both a beacon for art and a gathering place for the community. Featuring galleries, studios, classrooms, an auditorium, and a spacious lobby for public events, the Figge became more than a museum — it became a cornerstone for creativity, education, and civic engagement.
Building Community Through Partnership
From the very beginning of its new era, the Figge understood that partnerships would be key to its mission. Among its most meaningful collaborations has been its long-standing relationship with Hola America, which began in 2005 when the newspaper helped promote the grand opening of the museum’s new building and co-hosted the inaugural Día de los Muertos celebration. That same day, the Figge also hosted the first and only Hola America Community Awards, cementing a partnership rooted in shared values of cultural connection and community building.
After several years with different organizers, Hola America returned in 2016 to help organize this celebration once again. Together, Hola America and the Figge have presented countless programs that celebrate Latino culture and heritage, from exhibitions exploring the meaning of Día de los Muertos to hosting visiting artists such as Juan Hernández, a renowned Catrina maker from Guanajuato, Mexico.
“Hola America has been an instrumental and supportive partner to the Figge Art Museum for more than two decades,” said Lacey Skorepa, the museum’s director of communications and marketing. “Their involvement has helped the museum expand its reach, foster inclusion, and ensure that the museum remains a welcoming place for all.”
Día de los Muertos: Honoring Life and Legacy
This year’s Día de los Muertos Family Fiesta will be held on Sunday, November 2, 2025, from noon to 5:00 p.m. Admission is free all day. Visitors are invited to celebrate life, memory, and tradition through a rich program of music, dance, art-making, and storytelling. Guests can share photos or memories of loved ones who have passed, enjoy traditional foods, participate in craft workshops, and experience performances by Danza Azteca Asunción, and the Quad City Ballet Folklorico.
The celebration has grown significantly since its inception. What started as a single event two decades ago has evolved into one of the region’s most anticipated cultural celebrations, drawing families from across Iowa and Illinois. For many, it’s more than a festival — it’s an opportunity to connect with their heritage, introduce children to ancestral traditions, and build bridges across cultures.
“Hola America is deeply ingrained into our Quad-City community and ever supportive of the Hispanic population – through the arts, culture, politics, supporting businesses, endless partnerships, wonderful ideas, a can-do attitude, and all with an amazing amount of positivity and goodwill,” said Heather Aaronson Martin, the Figge’s director of education.
A Future as Bright as Its Past
Hola America, in partnership with LULAC Davenport and Ascentra Credit Union, have helped transform Día de los Muertos into a living, breathing celebration of memory and identity — a testament to how art can unite and uplift a community.
“The one constant for the last two decades for this celebration has been Heather Aaronson Martin, the Director of Education for the Figge,” said Tar Macias, founder of Hola America. “She has kept this celebration alive for the last 19 years with many other organizations coming and going. This event wouldn’t be possible without her commitment all these years.”
Photo by Tar Macias / Hola America
The Figge Art Museum’s celebration of its centennial, along with the 20th anniversary of its landmark building, and two decades of collaboration with Hola America prove that when institutions open their doors and communities walk through them, something powerful happens: Art becomes a meeting place, traditions find new homes, and celebrations become legacies.
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