A&M Creative & Professional Services presents:

CAMINO HACIA MICTLÁN STUDIO 

Honoring Memory. Creating Community. Keeping Tradition Alive. 

Artist-led Día de Muertos altars, cultural installations, educational programs, workshops, and community experiences created with cultural knowledge, artistic excellence, and respect for the living traditions of Mexico. 

Now accepting select commissions and partnerships for Día de Muertos 2026 in Mexico and the United States. 

[REQUEST A PROPOSAL] [EXPLORE OUR WORK] 

BRING DÍA DE LOS MUERTOS TO YOUR COMMUNITY 

Camino Hacia Mictlán Studio partners with museums, airports, universities, schools, cities, cultural institutions, botanical gardens, festivals, businesses, and community organizations to create meaningful Día de Los Muertos experiences. 

Our work brings together art, remembrance, storytelling, education, music, ritual, and community participation. 

Every project is thoughtfully developed in collaboration with our partners. From intimate community altars to large-scale public installations and multidisciplinary cultural celebrations, we create experiences that honor memory while inviting people of all backgrounds to learn, participate, reflect, and connect. 

What We Create

Signature Día de Los Muertos Altars

Original, site-responsive altars created for museums, airports, universities, cultural institutions, public spaces, businesses, and community celebrations. 

Services may include: 

  • Custom artistic concept and design 

  • Cultural and historical research 

  • Altar fabrication and installation 

  • Original artwork and handcrafted elements 

  • Floral and symbolic design 

  • Community participation 

  • Educational interpretation 

  • Opening programs and artist conversations

Community Altars & Public Installations

Participatory installations that invite communities to contribute photographs, memories, written reflections, offerings, and stories honoring loved ones and collective histories. 

These projects can be designed for: 

  • Community centers 

  • Libraries 

  • Schools 

  • Public plazas 

  • Municipal buildings 

  • Parks 

  • Neighborhood celebrations 

  • Cultural festivals 

Workshops & Cultural Education

Interactive programs that deepen understanding of Día de Los Muertos as a living cultural tradition rooted in memory, family, community, Indigenous knowledge, artistic expression, and remembrance. 

Programs may include: 

  • The History and Meaning of Día de Los Muertos 

  • How to Create a Community Altar 

  • Papel Picado Workshops 

  • Memory and Storytelling Activities 

  • Community Art-Making 

  • Family Workshops 

  • School and University Presentations 

  • Professional Development for Educators 

  • Artist and Curator Conversations 

  • Programs can be adapted for children, youth, families, college students, educators, elders, and intergenerational audiences. 

Complete Día de Los Muertos Cultural Experiences

Camino Hacia Mictlán Studio can collaborate with organizations to develop complete cultural programs that extend beyond the altar. 

Experiences may incorporate:

  • Live music 

  • Poetry 

  • Dance 

  • Processions 

  • Community remembrance ceremonies 

  • Artist demonstrations 

  • Film 

  • Podcast conversations 

  • Public storytelling 

  • Educational programs 

  • Hands-on art activities 

  • Community receptions

MORE THAN DECORATION 

Día de Los Muertos is not a theme. It is not Halloween. It is a living cultural tradition grounded in remembrance, family, creativity, spirituality, community, and our continuing relationships with those who came before us. 

Our work approaches Día de Los Muertos with cultural knowledge, artistic integrity, care, and respect. Each installation is created to honor memory - not imitate it. 

We invite audiences to move beyond observation and participate in meaningful experiences that preserve cultural traditions, encourage dialogue, and strengthen community. 

EXPERIENCE YOU CAN TRUST 

 Our creative leadership brings decades of experience producing Día de Los Muertos altars, public art installations, educational programs, exhibitions, workshops, performances, and large-scale cultural celebrations. 

Our work and cultural programming have been presented in collaboration with institutions and communities including: 

  • San Francisco International Airport 

  • KQED 

  • San Francisco Symphony 

  • Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts 

  • Self Help Graphics & Art 

  • Olvera Street 

  • UCLA 

  • Hollywood Forever 

  • Pacific Oaks College 

  • Calle 24 Latino Cultural District 

  • and cultural institutions and communities throughout California and Mexico. 

SELECTED WORK 

[FEATURED PROJECT IMAGE] 

Project Title Institution | City | Year 

One brief sentence describing the artistic vision, community participation, or impact. 

[Repeat for six to eight carefully selected projects.] 

MEET THE CREATIVE TEAM 

Dr. Martina Ayala 

Founder | Cultural Curator | Artist | Educator 

Dr. Martina Ayala is a Chicana cultural leader, curator, educator, artist, filmmaker, and cultural bearer with more than 35 years of experience in multicultural arts, education, public programming, community engagement, and cultural institution leadership. 

Born in East Los Angeles and raised in Northeast Los Angeles, she works between Mexico and the United States, creating cultural experiences rooted in memory, belonging, artistic expression, education, and community. 

Her Día de Los Muertos practice brings together artistic excellence, cultural history, public participation, and remembrance to create meaningful spaces where communities can honor their ancestors and share their stories.

Alex Balmaceda 

Creative Director | Designer | Musician | Media Producer 

Alex Balmaceda is a multidisciplinary artist, musician, educator, sound engineer, graphic and web designer, and media producer. 

As Creative Director of Camino Hacia Mictlán Studio, he contributes to visual development, installation design, fabrication, graphic identity, digital media, sound, and the creation of immersive cultural experiences. 

Together, Martina and Alex combine cultural leadership, artistic practice, education, storytelling, music, design, and community engagement to create memorable experiences across borders. 

NOW BOOKING DÍA DE LOS MUERTOS 2026 

Bring an artist-led Día de Los Muertos altar, workshop, cultural program, or community experience to your organization. 

We welcome partnerships with: 
Museums, Airports, Universities, Schools, Libraries, Cities and Municipalities, Parks and Recreation Departments, Botanical Gardens, Cultural Centers, Festivals, Businesses, and Community Organizations. 

Programs are customized according to your community, location, artistic vision, timeline, and available resources. 

Early inquiries are encouraged for September–November 2026 programs. 

[REQUEST A PROPOSAL] 

BEGIN A CONVERSATION 

Tell us about your organization and what you hope to create.

Camino Hacia Mictlán Studio A cultural initiative of A&M Creative & Professional Services, LLC 

Creating meaningful cultural experiences through art, memory, education, and community. 

“Their attention to detail and commitment to quality truly stood out. We’ve already recommended them to others.”

– Former Customer