ABOUT THE CONFERENCE
LOUD (Latinos Organizing for Understanding & Development) is proud to invite you to participate in this first Wisconsin Conference on Latinx Art & Culture, highlighting artists who have lived in or had significant experience in Wisconsin. All of the speakers are working artists who have maintained their connection and commitment to the community.
The virtual conference has an opening keynote followed by 5 time slots with two different presentations each (see below). The format is TEDtalk” style: short and engaging. You are welcome to attend one, some, or as many of the presentations as you wish; your virtual ticket will give you access to all presentations. The day closes with another keynote, followed by open discussion and networking.
Learn about the speakers and what they are talking about below!
SCHEDULE
Every presentation is interactive and has live Q&A. Bring your questions!
All times listed are Central Time.
WELCOME ADDRESS
8:15 - 8:30 AM
Welcome from Oscar Mireles, Conference Director, poet, educator, and founder of LOUD.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER ZARCO GUERRERO
8:30 - 9:00 AM
Zarco Guerrero is engaging and creative; a performer and artist; a community activist and internationally known creator in the service of social change.
Zarco’s art helps to create positive social change. Zarco is internationally known for his music, poetry and theatre.
Come to this keynote to learn about his experience, mission, and advice for community leaders.
SESSION 1A - (TALLER EN ESPAÑOL/IN SPANISH) DANE ARTS MURAL ARTS BY VERONICA FIGUEROA VÉLEZ
9:00 - 9:30 AM
Esta presentación está a cargo de la diseñadora y figura pública Verónica Figueroa Vélez. Verónica hablará sobre cómo la expresión artística ayuda a abrir nuestros ojos a la injusticia y transmite poderosas nuevas visiones, posibilidades y cómo la originalidad nos ayuda a sobrevivir y prosperar.
Ella contará su historia y hablará sobre su experiencia trabajando con individuos y en proyectos a gran escala con la Ciudad de Madison y el Estado de Wisconsin.
SESSION 1B - GRAPHIC DESIGN BY GERARDO "JERRY" CHAPA
9:00 - 9:30 AM
During this presentation Gerardo “Jerry” Chapa from Art & Sons will talk his story as a successful, independent Latinx graphic designer. Jerry has received numerous awards and worked with world-renowned organizations.
If you are considering becoming a graphic designer or are curious to learn more attend this presentation.
SESSION 2A - MUSIC AS A TOOL FOR SOCIAL CHANGE BY DINORAH MÁRQUEZ ABADIANO
9:30 - 10:00 AM
Dinorah Márquez Abadiano will present music as a tool for social change and affirmation of cultural identity for our Latinx youth. As Director and founder of the national award winning Latino Arts Strings Program. Dinorah and her team have made a huge impact in the lives of countless young Latines.
Come learn how to establish a youth music program that will change lives.
SESSION 2B - LATINO WISCONSIN: DEMOGRAPHIC CHANGE AND ITS IMPACT ON SOCIAL AND CULTURE CHANGE BY ARMANDO IBARRA
9:30 - 10:00 AM
Dr. Armando Ibarra’s work is at the juncture of cultural production, public health, issues of working people, and demographics. He will talk about his use of available tools in expanding the conversation about art.
Join us in this presentation about public health and the lessons that we can learn by looking at demographic data.
SESSION 3A - BECOMING: A POET IN THE MIDWEST SPEAKS BY ANGELA TRUDELL VÁSQUEZ
10:00 - 10:30 AM
Madison Poet Laureate Angie Trudell Vásquez began writing at the age of seven. Today she has her own small press, has edited more than a few publications, and her fourth collection of poetry will be published in 2022.
Angie will talk about what worked for her and what did not, where she found support, how she became a literary citizen wherever she happened to live, and, more importantly, what keeps her going back to the page.
SESSION 3B - PRESENTATION DESCRIPTION | FILMMAKING AS A CATALYST FOR CHANGE BY ALEJANDRO MIRANDA CRUZ
10:00 - 10:30 AM
From his childhood struggles dealing with dyslexia to leaving a promising career in Hollywood to focus on authentic storytelling, Alejandro will share his journey in finding his voice.
Alejandro will also share behind the scenes content for his directorial debut feature film, Trace the Line, and examples of how film can be a catalyst for engaging the most pressing topics facing us today.
SESSION 4A - (TALLER EN ESPAÑOL/IN SPANISH) LATINO POETRY IN CHICAGO: STAYING CONNECTED TO THE HOMELAND OF PUERTO RICO BY JOHANNY VÁZQUEZ PAZ
10:30 - 11:00 AM
En esta sesión, Johanny Vázquez Paz, ganadora del Premio Paz de Poesía 2018, autora de múltiples libros y reconocida poeta, explorará cómo las historias y tradiciones familiares, los recuerdos de la patria y crecer en El Barrio Chicago están presentes en su poesía.
SESSION 4B - MURALS BY REYNALDO HERNÁNDEZ
10:30 - 11:00 AM
Renowned community muralist Reynaldo Hernández will tell his fascinating life story and teach us about creating art with various communities. Reynaldo has added color, richness, and social change to Wisconsin's streetscape over a long career.
LUNCH INTERLUDE & NETWORKING
11 - 11:30 AM
Take a lunch break while you hear performances by local and regional artists, starting with Angela Puerta. Originally from Colombia and now living in Madison, Angela’s work drawn from multiple traditions has created a devoted public.
If you'd like, you can connect with other members of the event in virtual lunch rooms.
SESSION 5A - (TALLER EN ESPAÑOL/IN SPANISH) TEATRO Ñ CON MONICA CLIFF
11:30 - 12:00 PM
Cuando Mónica Cliff llegó a Madison, extrañaba el profundo impacto del teatro comunitario en español. Así que decidió hacer algo al respecto e involucró a gente de todas las edades en una experiencia centrada en la actuación. Su organización es Inventiva Works y se dedica a mantener vivas las tradiciones tanto de la cultura como de la lengua.
Durante esta sesión, Monica Cliff de Teatro ñ, hablará sobre sus proyectos teatrales en español y cómo su organización, Inventiva Works, ayuda a preservar nuestro idioma y tradiciones culturales.
Asista a esta presentación si le interesa aprender más sobre teatro, tomar clases de teatro o si es un amante del español a quien le interesa el multiculturalismo.
SESSION 5B - (TALLER EN ESPAÑOL/IN SPANISH) LATINOS MUSIC IN POLITICAL, SOCIAL AND CULTURAL-HISTORICAL CONTEXT IN LATIN AMERICA BY TONY BAEZ
11:30 - 12:00 PM
Dr. Luis Antonio Báez (Tony) has been working with Wisconsin communities for several decades, with a storied academic career and continued involvement in transformative politics – from his days with a Puerto Rican independence party and subsequent work with the Young Lords to elected office and community activism for bilingual education equity. As a performer, Tony shares music from the diaspora of latinoamerica, sharing the context and social impact of the songs.
En esta presentación, Tony va a compartir su experiencia en lograr una mayor participación en las artes e ideas sobre lo que significaría para el futuro.
CLOSING KEYNOTE SPEAKER CARMEN DE NOVAIS-GUERRERO
12:00 - 12:30 PM
Our closing keynote speaker will be Carmen De Novais-Guerrero. She learned her traditional beadwork from her indigenous grandmother in Brazil, and is an artist, educator, performer, and community organizer of regional observances such as Día de los Muertos in Arizona.
She will tell us about her experiences in various artistic mediums. Her background as an educator and community activist gives her a unique perspective on what we can all do to celebrate Latinx art and culture.
WRAP-UP FROM LOUD. MEET & GREET AFTERWARDS
12:30 - 1:00 PM
A wrap up from the host organization Latinos Organizing for Understanding and Development (LOUD) on the organization, Oscar’s experiences bringing artists together across multiple communities and media, and ways to get involved in upcoming events.
Afterwards stay and mingle with presenters and other attendees. We will keep the space open until 2 PM.
