We recently had the opportunity to work with the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings to create the artwork for their Dia de Muertos theme night, including the pre-game practice jerseys worn by the players as well as a range of merchandise available in the Kings store, all celebrating the day of the dead.

Our own Dan Kuhlken was on hand for the celebratory game and got to share his personal connection to the project:

I’ve lived in Southern California all my life. I grew up in a home with mixed culture, my mom is Mexican and my Dad is German/Welsh. My parents both agreed that Mexican folk art made for awesome decor, so our home growing up was filled with Alebrijes (colorful wooden animal sculptures). Since then I’ve been fascinated by Mexican art and have always loved the other materials and techniques used, like the intricate hand cut artistry of Papeles Picados, classic woodcut art, and Loteria cards.

This project hit all the marks for me. Having the opportunity as a Mexican American artist to create a piece celebrating Dia de Los Muertos, but also getting to celebrate my home of Los Angeles by making this for the Kings made it even sweeter. I was sure to include some hidden gems in the art that touched upon many of these themes: a Bird of Paradise (which is the flower of LA), Day of the Dead classics like Papeles Picado, woodcut textures and sugar skulls, and of course hockey themes with hidden hockey sticks and Mexican stylized versions of the classic Kings badge, LA text and crown.

I hope the art resonates with both the Latino and Latinx community in LA and Kings fans alike. Thank you so much for the opportunity!

- Daniel Marquez Kuhlken

Stay tuned for more coverage of the project from Kings Weekly, and check out the range of apparel below that was part of the collection. Thanks to our friends at Violent Gentlemen for their support in making this project a reality!

Process Video

Team LA Store Apparel

Pre-Game Player Jersey