“We don’t really have a platform for artists — especially for Latino artists — to showcase their work and we really wanted to showcase all of these very talented Latino artists. We thought that within Hispanic Heritage Month would be a great time to highlight their work,” says Mayra Medrano, president of the Latino Chamber of Commerce of Dane County. “The Latino Art Fair is really a great opportunity for Latino artists to sell their work but to also expose them to other artists and community members.”

The Latino Chamber of Commerce of Dane County will host the 4th Annual Latino Art Fair at the Overture Center on Friday, Oct. 7, 5-9 p.m. Latinx artists will show and sell their artwork with international influences as the Latino Art Fair will celebrate the rich culture and heritage of Latinx people.
LatinoArtFair
“We had our first Latino Art Fair at Centro Hispano [in 2013] and it was a packed house. The following year we had it at Central Library and that also was a full house,” Medrano says. “Last year at the Overture Center was amazing. It’s really gaining momentum — we had over 400 people come and go at the Latino Art Fair last year. We’re expecting the same for the art fair tomorrow.”

There will be 27 artists at the 2016 Latino Art Fair showing off their unique pottery, paintings, music, jewelry, prints, photographs, wood carvings, blown glass, recycled media, textiles, carved fruit, and more.

“It’s a really broad spectrum of different art,” Medrano says. “It’s a great chance for artists to expose their work but it’s also an opportunity for the community to learn about these artists, their very interesting backgrounds and histories, and their inspirations for their artwork.”

The artists’ creations are meant to inspire. “My paintings are a celebration of life and heritage. Artists Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, Vincent Van Gogh, and Paul Gauguin are a big influence in my work,” said painter Magda Bowen.

2014 Latino Art Fair winner Rolando Cruz
2014 Latino Art Fair winner Rolando Cruz

“My goal as an artist is for my work to open dialogues about social, cultural and environmental issues and to inspire people to find a personal connection in our differences,” added photographer Rolando Cruz.

Many of the artists have been with the Latino Art Fair since day one at that very first event at Centro Hispano. “We’ve seen them grow through the years and it has just been amazing,” Medrano says. “Their inspiration derives from so many different sources whether it be a political perspective, family driven or barriers that they’ve overcome. It is really, really personal and it does resonate in the art. We’re pretty proud of our artists.”

Leticia Castillo, winner of the 2015 Latino Art Fair, who currently has an exhibit of her paintings titled “Legends of Mexico City” in the Rotunda Lobby of the Overture Center for Hispanic History Month, will have a reception for her exhibit on the same night.

Admission is free to the 2016 Latino Art Fair. For more information, visit here or call 608-712-3522.