Día de los Muertos artworks, crafts and exhibitions are being brought to many Los Angeles residents by a non-profit art center in East Los Angeles, having done so for the last 40 years. These services are being made available to the public until Nov. 2.

The organization, Self Help Graphics, has served the Latino community, providing availability to printmaking, showcasing artwork, and hosting workshops for children and emerging artists since they incorporated in 1973.

Día de los Muertos is a traditional Mexican holiday that's celebrated throughout Mexico and many other places in the world, and it focuses on friends and family gathering together to pray for love ones they've lost. The celebration is in connection with the Christian three-day period of Hallowmas: All Hallow's Eve, All Saint's Day and All Soul's Day, and takes place on Oct. 31, Nov. 1 and Nov. 2. The holiday includes traditional fixtures, such as ofrendas, privately built altars (decorated tables or displays) to honor the dead, using marigolds, gifts, favorite foods, personal possessions and sugar skulls to honor the deceased.

Exactly 40 altars were displayed last Saturday to celebrate Noche de Ofrenda, an evening that signifies the construction of the altars. The 40 alters were meant to commemorate the years the organization has celebrated Día de los Muertos.

Lined along the perimeter of Grand Park, the altars were designed to celebrate the lives of civil rights leaders, the family of the artists who made the altars, immigrants and fallen cyclists. The evening also presented indigenous prayer, dancing, poetry and youth performances. Los Angeles County Supervisor Gloria Molina attended the event, creating an alter for her father.

The importance of remembering the tradition comes from the fact that the holiday has become greatly commercialized. It has also been made into an opportunity for binge drinking and dress up, which strays away from the holiday's rich and meaningful history.

"We are very purposeful about how we celebrate Día de los Muertos. It's important for our community on a national scale to support organizations like Self Help who make a concerted effort to celebrate these traditions in a more sacred way that includes local artists and the local community," Evonne Gallardo said, who is the executive director of Self Help Graphics.

The non-profit's facility in Boyle Heights will be the location for this year's Día de los Muertos culminating event, and it will take place on Nov. 2. Ceremonial blessings, local food and crafts will be available.