Behind the Design:
Young Latino Artists Find
A New Canvas
October 1, 2026
6 minute read
What is the Amor y Vida bottle?
Amor y Vida is a special edition Color Drop FreeSip® designed to honor the tradition of Día de los Muertos (or Day of the Dead) celebrated in Mexico and beyond. But this design is even more than that, because it was crafted by young Latino artists of Yollocalli—a youth arts initiative of Chicago’s National Museum of Mexican Art.
What is Yollocalli?
Yollocalli is the youth initiative of Chicago’s National Museum of Mexican Art. Yollocalli offers youth, ages 14-24, with opportunities to gain experience in professional art making practices by providing free arts and digital media programming led by contemporary artists. Since 1997, Yollocalli has been a space for youth to explore their creative interests and thrive as active members of Chicago’s growing creative community. We encourage you to learn more about Yollocalli’s mission and ongoing projects.
How did you find them and decide to work together?
One of our Owala team members grew up around Chicago and first visited the National Museum of Mexican Art in 2023 to see the Día de los Muertos exhibition. When the idea to design a bottle for the holiday surfaced, the museum came to mind immediately. Once we learned more about Yollocalli’s work with young artists and the range of art and media taught through its programs, the partnership felt like a natural fit for Owala.
“Our biggest goal was to give young artists a meaningful platform and let their work and perspective lead the project.”
–Owala Brand Manager
We wanted the collaboration to feel connected to the holiday, the community, and the people behind the artwork. And whether someone buys Amor y Vida for the design or for the story, they will discover more about Día de los Muertos and the real artists who made it happen.
What inspired the Amor y Vida design?
The tradition of Día de los Muertos represents family, remembrance, and celebrating life even in the face of loss. According to the team at Yollocalli, some families celebrate by welcoming their ancestors' spirits with an altar full of traditional elements and items they love.
“The bright colors and movement in this design reflect joy and celebration, because Día de los Muertos isn't just about mourning, it's about love, memory and keeping loved ones close even after death.”
–Yollocalli Team
The team found it important to represent the natural elements of the earth on an altar. In the design you can see copal (fire), papel picado (wind), cempasuchil flowers (earth), and the Aztec symbol for atl (water).
What is your favorite detail about the design?
If you look closely, you might be able to spot a Xoloitzcuintli dog, which is part of the ancient tradition of Xoloitzcuintli guiding spirits after death and serving as their protectors—similar to how our pets protect us and serve us as companions in life. It’s hard to choose just one favorite detail, because with this design, you find more to love the longer you look.
There is so much personality throughout the artwork inspired by each artist’s unique experiences with the holiday itself. We love that the artists were able to bring their own style and point of view into something people will carry with them every day.
What did you find most challenging?
The rounded bottle canvas made many intricate designs difficult to line up. But that just meant the team had to get creative. That’s when they came up with the idea of including all their unique pieces in the papel picado linked together on a single string.
In one of them, you will see a coffee cup which symbolizes the drink the Yollocalli team orders every time they got together to brainstorm and design for the project. The Aztec symbol for atl (water) is also a lovely nod to Owala hydration, which of course, we love.
Who are the artists?
SO glad you asked! Allow us to introduce you to Ruth, Berenice, Bibiana, Jennifer, Mario, and Liz.
Jennifer Camargo
IG:@The.manic_hispanic
Jennifer is a passionate artist who believes art is one of the most beautiful forms of expression and uses a variety of media forms and styles to share it.
Bibiana Saucedo
IG: @bbsartcorner
Bibiana earned her BFA at Columbia College Chicago and explores themes of memory and experiences linked to her personal life and Mexican heritage.
Liz Reyes
IG:@@kampaneeta
Elizabeth “BEL” Reyes is a Chicana muralist and graffiti writer whose work is rooted in graffiti culture and community storytelling. BEL is the recipient of the Brother Mike Award and a co-founder of SPLASH, an all-girl graffiti jam in Chicago that creates space and visibility for women in graffiti culture.
Mario Mena
IG: @mena_arte_chicago
Mario was born in Mezquitic, Jalisco, migrated with his family to California in 1993 and has grown up in the Southwest side of Chicago since 1998. His work stems from an alternative underground subculture of musicians and visual artists and his personal migratory journey from Mexico
“I got to meet all the artists and teachers and they were just so stoked about the opportunity to design a bottle for us. These artists are 18-24 years old and a brand produced their artwork! I mean, how cool is that?
–Owala Designer
The entire Yollocalli team was so lovely to work with and just so proud to show off their purpose and their artwork and what it means to them. We couldn’t be more proud to bring their design and their message to all of you.
What’s next for Amor y Vida?
This one-of-a-kind Color Drop is unlike any other bottle we’ve made. We hope it becomes a cherished symbol of life and love, just like the holiday it was designed to honor.
“If someone buys the bottle because they love the design and then learns about the artists and the organization behind the design, I think we accomplished something meaningful.”
– Owala Brand Manager
This was our first official Color Drop collab bottle but based on how fun and successful the work was, it will not be our last.
If you are lucky enough to have ordered this bottle, make sure to tag us @OwalaLife and show us how you honor life, love, and those who came before us in your own way.
Want in on the next drop? Check our past Color Drops or sign up for updates.
Amor Y Vida
Behind the Design.
Young Latino Artists Find
A New Canvas
October 1, 2026
6 minute read
What is the Amor y Vida bottle?
Amor y Vida is a special edition Color Drop FreeSip® designed to honor the tradition of Día de los Muertos (or Day of the Dead) celebrated in Mexico and beyond. But this design is even more than that, because it was crafted by young Latino artists of Yollocalli—a youth arts initiative of Chicago’s National Museum of Mexican Art.
What is Yollocalli?
Yollocalli is the youth initiative of Chicago’s National Museum of Mexican Art. Yollocalli offers youth, ages 14-24, with opportunities to gain experience in professional art making practices by providing free arts and digital media programming led by contemporary artists. Since 1997, Yollocalli has been a space for youth to explore their creative interests and thrive as active members of Chicago’s growing creative community. We encourage you to learn more about [Yollocalli’s mission and ongoing projects.]
How did you find them and decide to work together?
One of our Owala team members grew up around Chicago and first visited the National Museum of Mexican Art in 2023 to see the Día de los Muertos exhibition. When the idea to design a bottle for the holiday surfaced, the museum came to mind immediately. Once we learned more about Yollocalli’s work with young artists and the range of art and media taught through its programs, the partnership felt like a natural fit for Owala.
“Our biggest goal was to give young artists a meaningful platform and let their work and perspective lead the project.”
–Owala Brand Manager
We wanted the collaboration to feel connected to the holiday, the community, and the people behind the artwork. And whether someone buys Amor y Vida for the design or for the story, they will discover more about Día de los Muertos and the real artists who made it happen.
What inspired the Amor y Vida design?
The tradition of Día de los Muertos represents family, remembrance, and celebrating life even in the face of loss. According to the team at Yollocalli, some families celebrate by welcoming their ancestors' spirits with an altar full of traditional elements and items they love.
“The bright colors and movement in this design reflect joy and celebration, because Día de los Muertos isn't just about mourning, it's about love, memory and keeping loved ones close even after death.”
–Yollocalli Team
The team found it important to represent the natural elements of the earth on an altar. In the design you can see copal (fire), papel picado (wind), cempasuchil flowers (earth), and the Aztec symbol for atl (water).
What is your favorite detail about the design?
If you look closely, you might be able to spot a Xoloitzcuintli dog, which is part of the ancient tradition of Xoloitzcuintli guiding spirits after death and serving as their protectors—similar to how our pets protect us and serve us as companions in life. It’s hard to choose just one favorite detail, because with this design, you find more to love the longer you look.
There is so much personality throughout the artwork inspired by each artist’s unique experiences with the holiday itself. We love that the artists were able to bring their own style and point of view into something people will carry with them every day.
What did you find most challenging?
The rounded bottle canvas made many intricate designs difficult to line up. But that just meant the team had to get creative. That’s when they came up with the idea of including all their unique pieces in the papel picado linked together on a single string.
In one of them, you will see a coffee cup which symbolizes the drink the Yollocalli team orders every time they got together to brainstorm and design for the project. The Aztec symbol for atl (water) is also a lovely nod to Owala hydration, which of course, we love.
Who are the artists?
SO glad you asked! Allow us to introduce you to Ruth, Berenice, Bibiana, Jennifer, Mario, and Liz.
Jennifer Camargo
IG:@The.manic_hispanic
Jennifer is a passionate artist who believes art is one of the most beautiful forms of expression and uses a variety of media forms and styles to share it.
Bibiana Saucedo
IG: @bbsartcorner
Bibiana earned her BFA at Columbia College Chicago and explores themes of memory and experiences linked to her personal life and Mexican heritage.
Liz Reyes
IG:@@kampaneeta
Elizabeth “BEL” Reyes is a Chicana muralist and graffiti writer whose work is rooted in graffiti culture and community storytelling. BEL is the recipient of the Brother Mike Award and a co-founder of SPLASH, an all-girl graffiti jam in Chicago that creates space and visibility for women in graffiti culture.
Mario Mena
IG: @mena_arte_chicago
Mario was born in Mezquitic, Jalisco, migrated with his family to California in 1993 and has grown up in the Southwest side of Chicago since 1998. His work stems from an alternative underground subculture of musicians and visual artists and his personal migratory journey from Mexico
“I got to meet all the artists and teachers and they were just so stoked about the opportunity to design a bottle for us. These artists are 18-24 years old and a brand produced their artwork! I mean, how cool is that?
–Owala Designer
The entire Yollocalli team was so lovely to work with and just so proud to show off their purpose and their artwork and what it means to them. We couldn’t be more proud to bring their design and their message to all of you.
What’s next for Amor y Vida?
This one-of-a-kind Color Drop is unlike any other bottle we’ve made. We hope it becomes a cherished
symbol of life and love, just like the holiday it was designed to honor.
“If someone buys the bottle because they love the design and then learns about the artists and the organization behind the design, I think we accomplished something meaningful.”
– Owala Brand Manager
We wanted the collaboration to feel connected to the holiday, the community, and the people behind the artwork. And whether someone buys Amor y Vida for the design or for the story, they will discover more about Día de los Muertos and the real artists who made it happen.
This was our first official Color Drop collab bottle but based on how fun and successful the work was, it will not be our last.
If you are lucky enough to have ordered this bottle, make sure to tag us @OwalaLife and show us how you honor life, love, and those who came before us in your own way.
Want in on the next drop? Check our past color drops or sign up for updates.
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