Zeke Peña, The River
Celebration of Latino Culture / Celebración de la Cultura Latina
Oct. 10 - Nov. 2, 2018 | Fairgrounds
Oklahoma Contemporary partnered with the Oklahoma Latino Cultural Center for a Celebration of Latino Culture. The celebration took inspiration from the Día de los Muertos, a holiday with indigenous roots honoring loved ones who have died that is observed by multiple Latino cultures.
One of the overarching themes of this celebration was the richness and variety within Latino culture and of people of Latin American heritage. The three exhibitions on view celebrated this in different ways. Reflections and Remembrances featured prints from the community-based Los Angeles art center Self Help Graphics & Art. The varying subject matter and styles reflected the wide range of issues and creative expression of Los Angeles Chicano and Latino artists. Day of the Dead was an exhibition curated from an open call to artists in Oklahoma and surrounding states. Even with a more focused theme, the artists chose many ways to present their experiences of this holiday, as well as their heritage and their families. Finally, Chris Ortiz: Portraits of Latinx Identity showed the many different people of Latino heritage in the photographer’s community in Lawrence, Kan.
On Oct. 20, Oklahoma Contemporary, in partnership with the Oklahoma Latino Cultural Center, presented a day of activities, performances and experiences that celebrate Latinx arts and culture. This family-friendly program included three exhibitions on view, drop-in studio activities, storytime, student and professional mariachi performances, Yúmare Folkloric Dancers and a special musical set by local singer/songwriter Lincka.
