Lincoln Avenue Students Honor School with New Ofrenda
Students displaced by a fire created a memorial display to share memories and future hopes for their school building.
Updated on Oct. 24, 2026 in Secondary Education
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Students from Lincoln Avenue School have created a communal ofrenda to honor their former building, which was destroyed by fire in June 2026. The installation is now on display at the Forest Home Cemetery as part of the local Día de los Muertos festival.
Why it matters
The art project provides a meaningful outlet for students to process the loss of their school building while fostering resilience. By documenting memories and future hopes, the students are actively participating in the community's vision for their school's eventual reconstruction.
The ofrenda features student artwork displayed at the Landmark Chapel, located within the Forest Home Cemetery. This project serves as a collaborative effort involving 10-year-old students who have been attending classes at Casamir Pulaski High School since the June 2026 fire.
The players
Lincoln Avenue School
A Milwaukee school currently managing the displacement of its student body following a major structural loss.
Katie Avila Loughmiller
An artist who collaborated with students to translate their experiences into a public art installation.
Casamir Pulaski High School
The current host institution providing temporary classroom space for the displaced Lincoln Avenue School community.
The details
To create the altar, students worked with artist Katie Avila Loughmiller to design individual paper bags featuring memories of their original 1817 W. Lincoln Ave. building on the front and visions for their future school on the back. These bags were arranged alongside traditional elements, including sugar skulls, candles, and marigold flowers. The display serves as both a memorial to their lost campus and a creative exercise in planning for a new educational environment.
Timeline
June 2026: The Lincoln Avenue School building was destroyed by fire.
October 9, 2026: Students met with artist Katie Avila Loughmiller to plan the altar.
October 24, 2026: The ofrenda display opened during the festival and 5K race.
November 1-2, 2026: Dates observed for the Día de los Muertos holiday.
The Home Front
This project represents a restorative approach to the displacement caused by the June 2026 Lincoln Avenue School fire. It highlights the role of community-based art in navigating the aftermath of sudden institutional loss.
Families can visit the Landmark Chapel at Forest Home Cemetery to view the student ofrenda and support the school community during the festival. Parents of students may also monitor school district updates for future announcements regarding the permanent rebuilding timeline.
The takeaway
Engaging in creative projects can help families process significant local disruptions and keep students focused on the future. Residents are encouraged to visit the installation to witness the student-led memorial firsthand.
Further reading
For more information on navigating school transitions and community resources, visit Secondary Education.
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Do you feel community-based art projects help local recovery efforts after a neighborhood disaster?
