From Día de los Muertos celebrations to the Latino Arts Strings Program and everything in between, Latino Arts is a cornerstone of Milwaukee’s cultural landscape.
For 40 years now, they’ve been putting on events, educational programming, exhibits, and performances aimed at cultivating deep community ties within the Latino population and sharing their vibrant Hispanic traditions with the greater Milwaukee public.
We spoke with Leah Westberry, Media Relations and Marketing Manager for the United Community Center, to learn more about the organization celebrating all things Hispanic art and culture in the 414 and what’s to come as they head into their 40th year.
How did Latino Arts get its start?
In 1986, in partnership with the United Community Center, an arts organization was formed under the name of “The Friends of the Hispanic Community”, though the name would later be changed to Latino Arts, Inc. The original goal was to explore the cultural heritage of Latinos in the community through all forms of art and to share cultural art with the community.
How long has the organization been operating? Have you faced any major challenges with growing the organization or any triumph stories?
Established in 1986, our history is one of connection and inspiration to Milwaukee’s Walker’s Point neighborhood. We have proudly curated and hosted acclaimed performing Latino artists, captivating cultural art exhibitions, and educational opportunities, ensuring community members of all backgrounds feel welcome at our events. For 40 years—rooted in cultura, led by corazón—Latino Arts has built diverse cultural bridges and welcomed community members of all backgrounds into our space to learn and celebrate the beauty of Hispanic culture and art together.
What is Latino Arts, and why did you feel it would be a good fit in Milwaukee?
Latino Arts is the only Wisconsin-based fine arts institution dedicated exclusively to showcasing the works of Hispanic and Latino artists. Centralized around the cultural performing and visual arts, the organization provides high-quality, low-cost, and accessible arts programming.
Milwaukee’s Hispanic and Latino community is so diverse, as is the incredible group of artists and creatives within it. What better way to celebrate the beauty of this diversity and culture than to have a space dedicated to highlighting Latino artists and inviting others into our space to experience the cultural arts and discover new beauty together.
What’s the mission behind Latino Arts?
The mission of Latino Arts is twofold. First, we aim to strengthen and preserve the cultural heritage of the diverse Hispanic community in Milwaukee and Wisconsin. Secondly, we work to increase cultural awareness and diversity by offering performances, exhibits, and education in the areas of music, visual arts, dance, and literature to the greater Milwaukee community.
What is it like being in MKE? What do you enjoy about operating here?
Milwaukee has a vibrant Hispanic community of artists, performers, and creatives. We are privileged to be able to work with this diverse group with representation from countries all across Latin America!
What does it mean to the Hispanic community to have an organization like this around?
We aim to continue to be a space to preserve the cultural heritage of the diverse Hispanic community in Milwaukee and Wisconsin. As a mission-focused arts organization, one of our biggest assets is the trust our community affords us, and it is why we remain committed to celebrating and embracing our shared identity through art.
By creating opportunities for Hispanic and Latino artists to be featured in our gallery, perform on our stage or lead a workshop, we continue to fulfill our mission and hold space for Hispanics/Latinos to connect with their cultural heritage. We also know that it is immensely valuable to create an avenue where new allies can cultivate interest in learning and connect with community in an authentic way.
What’s your favorite part about what you’re doing?
Engaging with artists and the community! We love providing a welcoming environment for people to build cultural bridges through the arts.
What can people expect when going to a Latino Arts event or program?
We take great pride and care in curating every season to represent the vast diversity and wealth of traditions within the Hispanic, Latino, and Indigenous cultures that are at the heart of who we are as a people.
Whether it is a live music performance, a morning spent with us at a Cafe con Arte, or a workshop led by a local artist, you can expect an arts experience filled with culture and heart.
What are you most looking forward to at this year’s 40th anniversary celebrations?
We have an incredible season of cultural arts events in our lineup this fall! You can certainly find all the information on our season events on our website latinoartsinc.org.
One part of our season that we look forward to year after year is our Dia de Los Muertos celebrations. In the gallery, we will have our Day of the Dead Ofrendas exhibit on view October 22 – November 18. This year’s ofrendas are inspired by the theme of corn and wheat, symbolizing life, food, and continuity. Individual artists and community groups come together to each create an altar honoring loved ones whose memories continue to guide and inspire us. In addition to this exhibit, we have an incredible band joining us from Riverside, California for our Dead of the Dead concert on November 6. El Santo Golpe blends traditional sounds from the Afro-Latin diaspora with modern beats and irresistible grooves; their music creates a space where cultures, generations, and communities come together as one. We will also have a great lunch & learn workshop as well as our take on a paint & sip, so check it out and buy your tickets to a Latino Arts event today!
Anything else we should know about your organization or anything you’d like to mention? Any favorite stories?
Another unique part of our organization is the Latino Arts Strings Program (LASP). LASP is a national award-winning pre-college music training program that provides more than 200 Latino students, ages five to eighteen with instruments, music materials, individual lessons, small group and orchestra, and mariachi ensemble lessons every week, all for a nominal fee compared to private lessons and scholarship opportunities available. Under the instructions of Dinorah Marquez and her team of talented teachers, students receive solid music education and training. However, technique development is acquiredthrough the exploration of various forms of Latin American folk music, which we lovingly refer to as “Bach to Bamba”. We invite everyone to follow us on social media to learn about upcoming events. You can find us on all platforms at @latinoartsinc.