Giant La Catrina Statue Arrives in Oakland
The 34-foot sculpture now stands at Fruitvale Transit Village ahead of local Day of the Dead festivities.
Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Cultural
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A massive new La Catrina sculpture has been installed at Oakland's Fruitvale Transit Village. The 34-foot tall artwork was commissioned by the Unity Council to celebrate the upcoming Day of the Dead festival.
Why it matters
The installation honors cultural heritage and serves as a centerpiece for the community's annual Day of the Dead observances. It establishes a new landmark for the area as residents prepare for their yearly celebrations.
The sculpture stands at 34 feet tall, making it the largest La Catrina representation in the United States. It was produced by the Mexican artist collective Artsumex and transported from outside Mexico City.
The players
Unity Council
This local organization provides community resources and advocacy services to the Fruitvale neighborhood.
Artsumex
This family collective of Mexican artists specializes in creating large-scale cultural sculptures.
The details
The Unity Council commissioned the family collective of Mexican artists known as Artsumex to design and build the monumental figure. The statue serves as a high-profile cultural installation for the Fruitvale neighborhood.
Timeline
The La Catrina statue installation at Fruitvale Transit Village was completed in October 2026.
Industry Dynamics
This installation mirrors the broader movement of urban centers using public art to strengthen community identity and cultural tourism. It demonstrates how local organizations prioritize representative cultural landmarks to define the character of transit-oriented development hubs.
The sculpture is now publicly accessible to all visitors at the Fruitvale Transit Village. Residents and tourists can view the installation daily while participating in the local Day of the Dead festival activities.
The takeaway
The installation highlights the role of large-scale public art in fostering communal engagement during cultural holidays. Visitors to the area are encouraged to visit during the festival season to see the landmark piece in person.
Further reading
Discover more local art projects in our Oakland Cultural section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KALW.
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