Dating back to the Spanish Colonial period, the tradition of creating ornately decorated tin plate frames, or nichos, has come to define Mexican folk art. Nichos are small, hand-made tin boxes constructed to display lovingly crafted scenarios.

Many Day of the Dead altars will include nichos as a way of rendering tribute to a person of great significance to the artist. This three-dimensional box is often decorated by a variety of images or objects and can be accentuated with bright colors. Each is unique, acting as a showcase for that artist’s character – containing political themes, images of saints or other deities, even depictions of everyday life. The nicho is a statement that demonstrates that which is important to the creator.

The nicho on display will be designed by Vanessa Jimenez, owner of brand-new Mexican cultural shop Frida Azul.