Latino Arts, Inc. celebrates 40 years of cultura y corazón announcing 2026 fall lineup and Day Of The Dead celebrations!
MILWAUKEE, WI – Latino Arts, Inc. is proud to be celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2026. Rooted in cultura, led by corazón, the organization’s history is one of connection and inspiration to Milwaukee’s south-side Hispanic neighborhood and beyond. Latino Arts, Inc. has proudly curated and hosted acclaimed performing Latino artists, captivating cultural art exhibitions, and educational opportunities since 1986. For 40 years, Latino Arts has built bridges between a diverse community and welcomed community members of all backgrounds. Latino Arts is thrilled to announce an exciting lineup of cultural concerts, art exhibitions, workshops and annual Día de Los Muertos celebrations for Fall 2026!
On The Stage
Beats & Baile: A Salsa Social ft. DJ Saffiro
Friday, October 9, 2026
7:00 pm
Start off the fall season on the dance floor with DJ Saffiro spinning vibrant bilingual sets featuring salsa, merengue, bachata and cumbia. The evening begins with a dance lesson led by Betsy Guerrero, Owner of Mezclando Milwaukee Dance Company, before the dance floor heats up!
7:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. – Salsa Lesson by Betsy Guerrero, Owner of Mezclando Milwaukee Dance Co.
7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. – Salsa Dance Social
*This event is for ages 18+
For more information and ticket pricing: Beats & Baile: A Salsa Social
El Santo Golpe
Friday, November 6, 2026
7:00 pm
El Santo Golpe is a high-energy Afro-Latin music collective from Riverside, California, bringing a powerful “hit” of joy, rhythm, and connection wherever they perform. Blending 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.
This event will feature an opening performance by the Latino Arts Strings Program.
For more information and ticket pricing: El Santo Golpe Concert
MKE Latin Legends
Friday, December 4, 2026
7:00 pm
Celebrate the season with MKE Latin Legends, a dynamic ensemble led by Milwaukee’s own Eduardo Magallanes. Featuring festive holiday favorites alongside beloved Latin classics from the 1930s through the 1970s, this heartwarming concert will invite audiences to experience the joy, nostalgia, and rich musical traditions of Latin America. It’s the perfect way to kick off the holiday season with family, friends, and community!
For more information and ticket pricing: Latino Arts | MKE Latin Legends
In The Gallery
Tierra Mojada: Scent of My Memories
by Rodrigo Carapia
On View: August 18 – October 9, 2026
Opening Reception: Friday, August 28, 2026
5:00 pm
Rodrigo Carapia is a self-taught artist from Mexico City, Mexico, who has lived and worked in Madison, Wisconsin for more than 15 years. Beginning in street art, he developed his style through large-scale public works before transitioning to canvas and paper after moving to Wisconsin in 2008. His work reflects his Mexican cultural heritage and serves as a form of self-expression and resistance. Carapia is also a community advocate, leading art workshops in schools and juvenile facilities. He supports grassroots organizations through art donations, and his murals and works can be seen across Wisconsin.
See more of Rodrigo’s work on his Instagram at: www.instagram.com/rodri.art/
Café con Arte: Tierra Mojada: Scent of My Memories
by Rodrigo Carapia
Friday, September 11, 2026
8:30 am
Let artist, Rodrigo Carapia, guide you on a gallery tour and discussion surrounding the exhibit while enjoying hot coffee and fresh churros. This tour will be offered bilingually in English and Spanish.
For more information and ticket pricing: Tierra Mojada: Scent of My Memories
Dead of the Dead Ofrendas
On View: October 22 – November 18, 2026
Opening Reception: Friday, November 6, 2026
5:00 pm
This 2026 Día de Los Muertos celebration invites the community to experience the beauty, depth, and vibrancy of this cherished cultural tradition. In collaboration with community members and organizations, Latino Arts will present traditional altars (ofrendas) that honor loved ones.
This year’s ofrendas are inspired by the theme of corn and wheat, symbolizing life, food, and continuity. The theme reflects both the Indigenous roots of these crops and the European influences produced through cultural fusion, offering a powerful interpretation of how these traditions intertwine to shape Día de Los Muertos.
Cafe con Arte: Dead of the Dead Ofrendas
Wednesday, October 28
8:30 am
As the weather shifts, warm up with hot coffee and fresh churros while exploring our 2026 Day of the Dead Ofrendas.
For more information and ticket pricing: Day of the Dead Ofrendas
Process: Hecho a Mano
by Whitney Salgado
On View: December 4, 2026 – February 19, 2027
Opening Reception: Friday, December 4, 2026
5:00 pm
Whitney Salgado is a Milwaukee-based Latine digital painter and freelance illustrator whose work explores creativity, identity, and the value of the artistic process in an increasingly digital world. A graduate of the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design with a focus in Illustration and a minor in Communication Design, Salgado combines influences from Art Nouveau, pop art, and anime with traditional mediums such as acrylic paint and ink. Through colorful sculptures, paintings, and mixed media works, Process: Hecho a Mano highlights the challenges, experimentation, and personal growth that come with learning and creating by hand, celebrating the stories and connections formed throughout the artistic journey.
See more of Whitney’s work on her website at: www.whitneysalgado.com
Cafe con Arte: Process: Hecho a Mano
by Whitney Salgado
Friday, January 15, 2026
8:30 am
Let artist, Whitney Salgado, guide you on a gallery tour and discussion surrounding the exhibit while enjoying hot coffee and fresh churros. This tour will be offered bilingually in English and Spanish.
For more information and ticket pricing: Process: Hecho a Mano
Special Events
Noche de Gala
Saturday, September 19, 2026
5:00 pm
Join Latino Arts, Inc. for an elegant evening of music and dance as we celebrate 40 years of cultural arts. Reserve your seat or sponsor a table to support cultural arts education programs, including a performance by the award-winning Latino Arts Strings Program.
For more information and sponsorship availability: Noche de Gala | Hispanic Heritage Celebration & Gala
Lunch and Learn: Sabores Ancestrales – Ancestral Flavors
Friday, October 23, 2026
11:30 am
As a complement to our Day of the Dead Ofrendas exhibit, through our expert panel discussion with local chefs, Latino Arts invites you to explore the rich history, textures, and meanings of two of the celebration’s most beloved culinary elements. Discover the Indigenous significance of corn and its ancestral roots, alongside the fusion of Christianity and Eurocentric culinary traditions introduced through wheat with Pan de Muerto in Día de los Muertos.
For more information and ticket pricing: Lunch and Learn
Pinto con Tinto: Calaveras
Thursday, October 29, 2026
5:30 pm
Enjoy a creative and festive workshop painting a life-size skull in celebration of Día de los Muertos, a tradition honoring life, memory, and loved ones throughout Latin America. In this hands-on experience, participants will design and decorate their calavara using vibrant colors and patterns to remember loved ones. Enjoy wine and tapas in a relaxed, social atmosphere as you create a meaningful keepsake to take home.
For more information and ticket pricing: Pinto con Tinto: Calaveras
Virtual Lotería
Lotería is a traditional Mexican board game, similar to bingo, that can be played with friends and family. Interested in hosting a virtual game for your group or corporate event? Latino Arts can bring the game to you!
For more information and ticket pricing: Virtual Lotería
About Latino Arts:
Latino Arts, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) dedicated to bringing cultural awareness, artistic educational experiences, and high-quality programming to the Greater Milwaukee and southeastern Wisconsin community, as well as to a global audience through our virtual programming featuring Hispanic artists from throughout the world. As the only Wisconsin fine arts institution dedicated exclusively to showcasing the works of Hispanic and Latino artists, Latino Arts, Inc. provides high-quality, low-cost, and accessible arts programming. Latino Arts is committed to reaching beyond its south side Milwaukee neighborhood to share the rich cultural heritage of the Hispanic community with a diverse, global audience.
More photos and details online at www.latinoartsinc.org