National Association of Latino Arts and Cultures

🌟Reconnect with NALAC's Grants Associate River Kiefer!🌟 River joined NALAC as an intern in 2022 and has been doing awesome work ever since! She's a key player in supporting the NALAC grants program. River is passionate about learning about the world, connecting with people, and being of service to others.

Fun fact: River enjoys feeding and identifying the birds that visit her window. 🐦

🌟Reconnect with NALAC's Chief Financial Officer Jennifer Guel!🌟 Jennifer has over a decade of experience in nonprofit accounting and auditing. But there's more to her than just numbers and spreadsheets! When away from the office, Jennifer enjoys listening to K-pop, watching K-dramas, and spending time with her family.

Fun fact: Jennifer dances with the Viva Tejana Dance Company💃🏻

🌟 Reconnect with NALAC's Chief Operating Officer Luis M. Garza! 🌟Luis is a technologist, naturalist, artist, and photographer. He is a key player in shaping NALAC's tech ecosystem, and his passion for building processes keeps our workspace thriving and efficient! Luis also collaborates with other artists to document their artworks and events.

Fun fact: Luis likes traveling, bird watching, and mountain biking. 🚵

🌟 Reconnect with NALAC's Research Manager Lucila Lagace! 🌟
Lucila has over 35 years in nonprofit and public administration. She is passionate about sharing her research and administrative expertise to support NALAC and Latinx artists. She grew up in the Rio Grande Valley and speaks English, Spanish, and Spanglish.

Fun fact: In the 90s, Lucila was a dancer on two seasons of an international dance show, Bailando, with host Franco Iglesias. 💃🏻

🎉 ¡Bienvenido NALAC Director of Development Misael Alvarado! Misael brings over 10 years of experience in making a positive impact through building partnerships🤝 He’s passionate about volunteering and supporting BIPOC and queer-led organizations.

❤️Fun fact: Misa is a SWIFTIE!

🎉 Welcome NALAC Director of Human Resources Mario Mena! Mario is excited to work with NALAC and leverage his expertise in supporting positive workplace cultures. Mario enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, and live music. 🎶

🚴🏽‍♂️ Fun fact: Mario competes in triathlons!

🎉 ¡Bienvenida NALAC Senior Technology Manager April Orci! April combines her expertise in operations, production, and IT services to make a meaningful impact at NALAC. Outside of work, she cherishes moments spent with her wife and their four cats. ❤️

🐱 Fun fact: April loves her 15-year-old cat, Ringo!

🎉 Welcome NALAC Director of Programs Cat Rodríguez! Cat is a performer, director, dramaturg, and translator. She lives and labors in english y español, talks with her hands 💅🏻, and also anda con ganas. Cat names New York, New Orleans, and Nicaragua home.

🌟 Fun fact: Cat is an alum of the NALAC Leadership Institute!

🎉 Exciting News from NALAC! 🎉 We are thrilled to welcome four incredible new members to our team:

🌟 Cat Rodríguez as Director of Programs
🌟 April Orci as Senior Technology Manager
🌟 Mario Mena as Director of Human Resources
🌟 Misael Alvarado as Director of Development

Join us in celebrating our new staff as we continue to empower and support the Latinx arts and culture community. Welcome to the team, Cat, April, Mario, and Misael! 🙌

Read the full announcement: https://www.nalac.org/nalac-announces-new-staff

🎉🎓Felicidades, NLI Class of 2024! Muchísimas gracias to our 2024 Keynote Speaker Rosie Castro, and special guest, Julián Castro, for sharing their passion for the arts and dedication to public service with our fellows.

Big thanks to community members for joining us to celebrate this special day! ❤️✨

❤Muchas gracias a Chicano scholar, historian y maestro, Dr. Tomás Ybarra-Frausto for sharing the ✨magic of storytelling to close out our 2024 NLI!

✨Our fellows are halfway through NLI! We take learning seriously, but also make time for fun!

✨🫶🏽Comida, cultura y comunidad! Our NLI fellows have been exploring the beautiful sights of San Anto together!

🎉Viva NALAC! Our NLI fellows visited the NALAC campus on the west side of San Anto to learn more about NALAC's history, check out our space, and add their class photo to our iconic NLI alumni wall.

🙂 Sharing food, drinks & laughs: NLI 2024 orientation concluded with a welcome dinner to help our fellows get ready for a great week! ✨

✨2024 NALAC Leadership Institute Fellow Spotlight: Dr. Miriam Padilla Vargas

Dr. Miriam Padilla Vargas, Executive Director of Bomba Marilé, was born in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico. Bomba Marilé strives to share Afro-Puerto Rican Bomba music, history, and culture through interactive and educational events that create a sense of community. Dr. Miriam Padilla has been honored to receive multiple recognitions for her work as a community organizer, including the WESTAF BIPOC Fund, the Utah Arts Fellowship Grant, Special Congressional Recognition, Salt Lake County Commission Recognition, and more. Miriam is proud to represent her traditions and is grateful for those who support the cultural arts.

👉🏽💻 Learn more about Dr. Miriam Padilla Vargas: https://www.nalac.org/members/miriam-padilla-vargas/

✨2024 NALAC Leadership Institute Fellow Spotlight: Yura Sapi

Yura Sapi (they/them) is a visionary leader, creative activist, and interdisciplinary artist dedicated to co-creating joyful and abundant futures in harmony with each other and Mother Earth. Yura is Indigenous Kichwa, with Ecuadorian and Colombian citizenship and a lifelong connection to their birthplace on Manahatta island. Embracing their Kichwa name, Yura embodies strong roots and a profound connection to trees and plants. Through their new nonprofit organization, LiberArte Inc., Yura collaborates to nurture artists for a thriving planet.

👉🏽💻 Learn more about Yura Sapi: https://www.nalac.org/members/yura-sapi/

✨2024 NALAC Leadership Institute Fellow Spotlight: Michelle Ruiz

Michelle Ruiz is a Mexican American visual arts management specialist and curator born and raised in Chicago, IL. Ruiz currently serves as the Program Coordinator for the U.S. Latinx Art Forum (USLAF) and is the founder of Elle Art Consulting. As Program Coordinator of USLAF, Ruiz supports the Latinx Artist Fellowship and orchestrates the “X as Intersection” program series, which brings fellows, Latinx curatorial colleagues, and USLAF Executive Committee members into a conversation that highlights dynamic thematics while centering the art practice of each individual fellow.

👉🏽💻 Learn more about Michelle Ruiz: https://www.nalac.org/members/michelle-ruiz/

✨2024 NALAC Leadership Institute Fellow Spotlight: Erick Rodriguez

Erick is a first-generation bilingual Guatemalan-American and an experienced youth mentor and instructor committed to supporting young people within and beyond the classroom setting. As a creative, Erick is an artist, educator, and champion of the life-changing power of the arts. Erick is passionate about creating equitable access to arts education and believes every child should be able to participate in the arts. He serves as the Program Director for CoachArt, a national nonprofit organization that provides free online arts and athletics lessons to children impacted by chronic illness.

👉🏽💻 Learn more about Erick Rodriguez: https://www.nalac.org/members/erick-rodriguez/

✨2024 NALAC Leadership Institute Fellow Spotlight: Rikki Riojas

Rikki Riojas was born and raised in Tucson, Arizona. Since 2019, she has been a member of Los Descendientes de Tucson; she is currently their Board President and one of the two Mexican American Museum Co-Directors. Riojas’ focus is on community and creating sustainable and equitable relationships with community members in order to preserve and elevate the deep history and knowledge present within the barrios.

👉🏽💻 Learn more about Rikki Riojas: https://www.nalac.org/members/rikki-riojas/

✨2024 NALAC Leadership Institute Fellow Spotlight: Joshua J. Ramirez

Joshua J. Ramirez is a brown-indigenous social practice artist, museum arts administrator and cultural practitioner who works and resides in Los Angeles County. He currently works in Youth Development Programs at the J. Paul Getty Center in Los Angeles. Using his own mental illness and disability as a platform for systemic change, he has successfully started his own nonprofit that merges advocacy and art. Saint Remy Arts & Culture provides transformative and cultural spaces for individuals with mental illness, PTSD, and suicidal thoughts through the creative process of art and creation.

👉🏽💻 Learn more about Joshua J. Ramirez: https://www.nalac.org/members/joshua-j-ramirez/

✨2024 NALAC Leadership Institute Fellow Spotlight: Claudia S. Preza

Claudia S. Preza is a bilingual curator focusing primarily on identity and counter-hegemonic initiatives within the US and MX border region. She strives to develop exhibitions and programming that present narratives of historically silenced individuals within the US art historical canon, such as the Latine and LGBTQIA+ community. With 10 years of experience working in museums and galleries, Preza has worked with various art institutions and holds an MA in museum professions with a concentration in Exhibition Development and a BA in Art History. Currently, she is the Assistant Curator at the El Paso Museum of Art.

👉🏽💻 Learn more about Claudia S. Preza: https://www.nalac.org/members/claudia-s-preza/

✨2024 NALAC Leadership Institute Fellow Spotlight: J. Edgar Mozoub

Edgar is an actor, director, photographer, journalist and radio/TV host. He began his professional career at the tender age of 12 while working with some of NYC’s and the Caribbean prominent directors, such as Pablo Cabrera, Victoria Espinosa and Hector Luis Rivera, among others. Aside from his acting work, at that age, he already held several technical positions, including house manager, stage manager and props assistant. Edgar is currently the Managing Director and Associate Producer at the Society of the Educational Arts / Teatro SEA.

👉🏽💻 Learn more about J. Edgar Mozoub: https://www.nalac.org/members/j-edgar-mozoub/

✨2024 NALAC Leadership Institute Fellow Spotlight: Enrique Morales

Enrique Morales is an artist, curator, researcher, educator, and arts administrator. He views all facets as integral to his creative practice. As an arts administrator and cofounder of the Northwest Arts Connection, a nonprofit arts organization in Chicago, his commitment to building community through the arts includes broadening the scope of what our civic and cultural infrastructure can be.

👉🏽💻 Learn more about Enrique Morales: https://www.nalac.org/members/enrique-morales/

✨2024 NALAC Leadership Institute Fellow Spotlight: Sen Mendez

Sen Mendez (they/them) is a non-binary indigenous (Otomí and Nahua-Pipil) interdisciplinary artist, cultural practitioner, and educator born and rooted in Huichin Ohlone Territory/Oakland, California. Their art practice employs block printing and visual storytelling to create a decolonized space for community engagement within the intersections of LGBTQIA+, Indigenous, Disabled, Refugees, and Immigrant individuals to empower personal narratives and envision futures of collective liberation and intergenerational trauma healing. The ubiquitous nature of Sen’s work, empowering everpresent marginalized narratives, has allowed them to showcase their work in California, Texas, and France and to be published in magazines, art books, and anthologies.

👉🏽💻 Learn more about Sen Mendez: https://www.nalac.org/members/sen-mendez/

✨2024 NALAC Leadership Institute Fellow Spotlight: Sandie Luna

Sandie Luna is an Afro-Latine immigrant artist, cultural steward, educator, mother, and doula. As the Executive Director at ID Studio Theater in the South Bronx, she leverages her background to empower immigrant communities through the performing arts, enhancing their social and artistic development. Sandie teaches at SUNY New Paltz in both the Theater Arts and Latin American & Caribbean Studies Departments, where her courses cover Latin American drama, acting, as well as race, gender, and performance.

👉🏽💻 Learn more about Sandie Luna: https://www.nalac.org/members/sandie-luna/

✨2024 NALAC Leadership Institute Fellow Spotlight: George Luna-Peña

George Luna-Peña was born and raised in East Los Angeles, CA. He serves as the Manager of Pre-Professional Programs at the National Gallery of Art, where he oversees all internships and teen and high school programs. George also serves as an Advisory Member for the Museum Studies Certificate Program at East Los Angeles College and the LEAD (Lived Experience Activating Dialogue) Fellowship at the Eastern State Penitentiary Historic Site. Before joining the National Gallery, George was the Program Director for the Diversity Apprenticeship Program (DAP) at The Broad Art Museum in Los Angeles, CA. The DAP, an award-winning and nationally recognized program, provides full-time, paid apprenticeships for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color in art handling and preparation work. Prior, George worked at Generation Justice, a youth and media justice organization based in Albuquerque, N.M.

👉🏽💻 Learn more about George Luna-Peña: https://www.nalac.org/members/george-luna-pena/

✨2024 NALAC Leadership Institute Fellow Spotlight: Teréz Iacovino

Teréz Iacovino is an artist, educator, and the assistant curator of the Katherine E. Nash Gallery at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. Her creative practice has been supported by the Jerome Foundation, the Imagining America Foundation, and the UMN Institute for Advanced Study and Institute on the Environment. She is the recipient of a curatorial research fellowship from The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts in support of collaborative research, with independent curator José López Serra, on twenty-first-century Puerto Rican artistic practices spanning Archipelagic and Diasporican perspectives.

👉🏽💻 Learn more about Teréz Iacovino: https://www.nalac.org/members/terez-iacovino/

✨2024 NALAC Leadership Institute Fellow Spotlight: Nasheli Juliana Ortiz González

Nasheli Juliana Ortiz González stands as a prominent figure in fashion, academia, non-profit organizations, and social development. Hailing from Puerto Rico, her most recent role as Executive Director at Taller Puertorriqueño in Philadelphia underscores her commitment to fostering participatory design initiatives guided by communities. Her endeavors spark and cultivate artistic expression, encapsulating her dedication to the intersection of creativity and community empowerment.

👉🏽💻 Learn more about Nasheli Juliana Ortiz González: https://www.nalac.org/members/nasheli-juliana-ortiz-gonzalez/

✨2024 NALAC Leadership Institute Fellow Spotlight: Rachel Garcia

Rachel is a nonprofit leader with deep roots and connections in her hometown of Denver, Colorado. Her love of the creative community grew from a desire to connect with like-minded people and to give back. Her professional background includes 25 years in the design/build industry as a Business Operations executive; however, her passion has always been in the arts. Rachel is the Executive Director of the Mexican Cultural Center (MCC) in Denver, which has a mission to create a sense of belonging and pride in cultural heritage for the communities it serves.

👉🏽💻 Learn more about Rachel Garcia: https://www.nalac.org/members/rachel-garcia/