Honoring 30 Years of Art, Memory, and Community in Fruitvale
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Oakland Día de los Muertos Festival—three decades of honoring our ancestors, celebrating community resilience, and uplifting culture through art, tradition, and togetherness. With the theme “Aquí estamos y no nos vamos” (We are here, and we are not leaving), the 2025 festival invites us to stand rooted in our heritage and our neighborhoods, even as we face change, struggle, and transformation.
2025 Poster Winner: Jasmine Quiroga (aka Jackpot)
We are proud to announce Jasmine Quiroga as the official 2025 Oakland Día de los Muertos Poster Contest Winner. Her vibrant and deeply symbolic artwork was selected by the organizing committee for its stunning interpretation of the festival’s 30th anniversary and this year’s powerful theme.
Jasmine’s poster celebrates the strength of community and the spirit of collective resistance. A hummingbird symbolizes warriors who rise for justice; monarch butterflies speak to migration and the sacredness of movement; and a raised fist stands for unity, dignity, and power. The poster is adorned with glowing papel picado and golden marigolds—a tribute to ancestors who crossed borders so future generations could thrive. The “XXX” woven into the design marks 30 years of the festival as a living tradition in Oakland’s Fruitvale neighborhood.
Born and raised on 22nd and Foothill, Jasmine is a proud Oakland native who grew up surrounded by fruit carts, murals, and family-run businesses that continue to inspire her artistic voice. By day, she works with youth at a nonprofit on 82nd Avenue, mentoring teens on their paths to college and career success. As an artist and cultural worker, Jasmine uses her creativity to reclaim tradition, heal grief, and build community pride. Her art is both personal and collective—a reflection of life, death, memory, and movement.
Honorable Mention: Fabian Marquez
The 2025 contest also includes a special Honorable Mention for Fabian Marquez, whose design was a favorite among public voters and deeply resonated with the festival’s mission.
Fabian’s piece, Here We Are, and We’re Not Leaving, features a radiant bouquet of cempasúchil (marigolds) as a symbol of life, death, and ancestral memory. Below, a protest scene unfolds beneath a luminous full moon, with the phrase “For a place to flourish” tying migration to cosmic cycles and sacred duality. A central skull connects to Mictlantecuhtli, the Aztec god of the underworld, evoking the strength of those who came before us. The message “In Mictlan there are no borders” challenges us to honor our shared humanity beyond artificial divisions.
Originally from Mexico and based in the Bay Area for over 15 years, Fabian is a multidisciplinary artist working in muralism, tattoo, sculpture, and digital art. His connection to Oakland is deeply rooted; since 2016, he has participated in the Fruitvale festival as an altar builder and culture bearer. His artwork, much like his spirit, is a beautiful bridge between tradition and contemporary expression.
About the Poster Selection Process
This year’s poster contest invited community members to vote online for their favorite design during a public voting period in June. The organizing committee also reviewed all submissions using criteria that included cultural relevance, alignment with the festival theme, adaptability for merchandise, and the strength of each artist’s narrative. The final selection of the official poster was made by consensus, while strong public support for Fabian’s work earned him the well-deserved Honorable Mention.
A Legacy of Art and Resilience
As we celebrate three decades of Día de los Muertos in Oakland, we’re reminded of the power of art to carry memory, create belonging, and ignite change. Congratulations to Jasmine Quiroga and Fabian Marquez—two incredible artists whose work reflects the heart of our community and the soul of this tradition.
Join us on November 2nd, 2025, in Fruitvale to see the winning poster unveiled, meet the artists, and honor the ancestors who continue to guide us.
