34 feet of culture, raíces, artistry, and community
Handcrafted in Mexico City and brought to Oakland by The Unity Council, La Catrina de Oakland carries the culture, traditions, and stories of generations who have made journeys of their own while keeping their raíces close.
MORE THAN A MONUMENT
At 34 feet tall, La Catrina is monumental in size—but what she represents is even greater.
For more than 60 years, The Unity Council has stood alongside families in Fruitvale, creating opportunities, strengthening community, and preserving the culture and traditions that make our neighborhood home.
Handcrafted by artisans in Mexico City, La Catrina’s journey to Fruitvale reflects the journeys of generations who crossed borders carrying their culture, traditions, stories, and dreams with them.
With her arms stretched open over Fruitvale, she stands as a symbol of welcome, belonging, pride, and community.
Nuestra Cultura Viaja Con Nosotros.
Our Culture Travels With Us.
FROM MEXICO CITY TO FRUITVALE
Created by the talented artisans of Artsumex, La Catrina’s journey from Mexico City to Oakland represents more than the movement of a monumental piece of art.
She creates a bridge between Mexico and Oakland and reflects the journeys of so many families who have made Fruitvale home while remaining deeply connected to their raíces.
Our raíces travel with us. Our stories travel with us. And now, La Catrina does too.
Stand Tall With Us
La Catrina stands tall in the heart of Fruitvale as a celebration of our culture, our raíces, and the generations who have made this community home. Her journey from Mexico to Oakland reminds us that our culture travels with us—and that protecting the communities where our culture thrives takes all of us.
Through The Unity Council’s La Catrina Resistance Fund, we are working to raise $250,000 by December 31, 2026 to ensure we can continue standing with the Latino community at a time when the programs and resources our families rely on are facing significant funding threats.
For more than 60 years, The Unity Council has been rooted in Fruitvale, investing in our families and creating opportunities for generations to thrive. Today, funding for core programs—including our seven Head Start sites and youth leadership programs—is at risk. Reaching our $250,000 goal will help us protect these vital services, continue reaching the families who depend on them, and sustain our work to serve, uplift, organize, and mobilize the Latino community.
La Catrina’s journey celebrates where we come from. The Resistance Fund helps protect what we have built—and invest in where we are going.
We invite our neighbors, local businesses, foundations, partners, and everyone who believes in the strength of our community to stand with us. Together, we can ensure that Latino families, culture, and community continue to thrive in Fruitvale for generations to come.
Help us raise $250,000 by December 31. Stand tall with Fruitvale.
Join us throughout October as we celebrate La Catrina’s arrival with community events leading up to Oakland’s 31st Annual Día de los Muertos Festival.
Transportation Information
La Catrina de Oakland
3411 E. 12th St
Oakland, CA 94601
La Catrina is located just outsideFruitvale BART Station and is on view 24/7 leading up to the Oakland Día de los Muertos Festival on November 1, 2026.
Public Transportation
- BART: Disembark at Fruitvale BART Station. La Catrina is a one-minute walk from the north-side of the station.
- AC Transit: La Catrina is accessible by AC Transit bus lines which serve Fruitvale BART or International Boulevard.
Parking
- Bike Parking: Public bike racks and BikeLink secure electronic lockers are available at Fruitvale BART Station.
- BART Parking: Vehicle parking is available in the parking garage at Fruitvale BART Station. Payment is required for parking Monday through Friday between 4am and 3pm. Outside these hours (including Saturday & Sunday) garage parking is free.
- Douglas Parking Lots: Nearby parking is available; rates apply.
WATCH / LISTEN
IN THE NEWS
La Catrina’s journey would not be possible without the artists, partners, funders, sponsors, and community members who helped bring this vision to life.
