Hispanic culture is historically entwined into Houston’s fabric, influencing everything from language and music to food and art. According to the most recent US Census, Hispanics represent 44% of the city’s population. There is no doubt that Hispanics have a meaningful footprint on Houston’s identity, and preserving it has been the enduring commitment of three local organizations.
Over the years, three Houston Cultural Treasures—a designation by the BIPOC Arts Network and Fund (BANF)—have committed to challenging systematic iniquities to recover and preserve Latino heritage, literature, and art. Arte Público Press, Nuestra Palabra: Latinos Having Their Say, and MECA (Multicultural Education and Counseling through the Arts) have played a pivotal role in preserving the past and actively shaping the future of Houston’s cultural scene. Their commitment is deserving of recognition.
In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, BANF proudly acknowledges the pivotal contributions of these Houston Cultural Treasures.
Arte Público Press: Preserving Close to 2,000 Articles and Counting
Founded in 1979 by Dr. Nicolás Kanellos, Arte Público Press is the nation’s largest and most established publisher of contemporary and recovered literature by U.S. Hispanic authors. This trailblazing organization has been a powerful force in elevating Hispanic voices, enriching the American literary landscape with diverse narratives that might otherwise have been lost to history.
Its imprint for children and young adults, Piñata Books, is dedicated to the authentic portrayal of the themes, languages, characters and customs of Hispanic culture in the United States. These books serve as a bridge connecting home and school to support family literacy and elementary education.
Dr. Gabriela Baeza Ventura, Deputy Director of the publishing house, emphasizes the profound impact of their work: “Arte Público Press was created to give Latinx writers a platform to share their stories. Today, we continue to publish literature that reflects the rich and varied experiences of historical and contemporary Latinx communities, ensuring these stories reach both print and digital audiences.”
Through initiatives like the Recovering the U.S. Hispanic Literary Heritage program, Arte Público Press has located, preserved, and made available the Hispanic culture of the United States since the 1500s until 1980. Its holdings include approximately 2,000 newspapers, thousands of articles, manuscripts, photographs, personal collections and ephemera. Collection represents local, national, and global perspectives and evokes themes such as art, politics, culture, economics, religion, and the U.S. Latinx experience.
Looking to the future, Dr. Baeza added, “Arte Público Press’ programming for children, young adults, and adults brings together multiple ways of accessing U.S. Latinx literature and culture. In fact, the U.S. Latino Digital Humanities Center is publishing interactive maps, timelines and exhibits that showcase archival materials in English and Spanish. In doing so, we hope that audiences can see the roles that Latinos played and continue to play in U.S. culture.”
NUESTRA PALABRA: Preserving people's stories
Founded in 1998 by professor Tony Diaz, Nuestra Palabra: Latinos Having Their Say dedicates its efforts to cultivating and accelerating Latino literature, visual arts, and culture through in-person events, workshops, an online bookstore, and exhibitions.
Guadalupe Mendez, the organization’s ambassador, said that Nuestra Palabra’s work has evolved to include the general public in preserving their own story, which ultimately, is the story of the Hispanic community.
“Now we want to give the people the opportunity for themselves to write their own story, like a journal,” said Mendez. “They are sharing their story with the community. Each event in the life of a person is particular but, at the same time, universal. Even if they say they don’t know how to write, they can start with a few words and then add more every day. With time, that becomes the story of their lives, something their families can enjoy for future generations.”
The next step after people write their own stories is to make them public through Nuestra Palabra, either in print form or digitally. These documents become a testimony of the lives of thousands of Hispanic immigrants and their descendants in the United States, helping preserve their culture in this country.
Today, Nuestra Palabra sells books from local authors and offers writing workshops and a series of podcasts that help people learn more about their work and the artists and authors they promote.
MECA: Renewing Houston's Hispanic Cultural Roots through the Arts
Complementing Arte Público Press and Nuestra Palabra’s literary efforts is MECA (Multicultural Education and Counseling through the Arts), a beacon of hope and creativity in Houston’s Hispanic community since its inception in 1977.
Located in the historic Old Sixth Ward, MECA provides underserved populations with arts education, cultural enrichment, and community-building opportunities. Its holistic approach nurtures the artistic talents of youth and adults and fosters a deep sense of identity and community pride, making a significant impact in the community and preserving our rich Hispanic heritage.
“MECA’s programs have helped us connect with our Mexican roots, introducing us to the vibrant music and ballet folklórico dances. The passion MECA has for preserving our culture has empowered us to grow in our identity as Hispanic individuals,” said Daniel and Isabella Nava, brother and sister and folkloric dance students.
Gumaro Armando Silva, Executive Director of MECA, explained, “Every performance, exhibition, or project presented includes components that teach the origin stories of particular practices and traditions. MECA’s leadership is explicitly intentional about supporting and presenting artists and cultural organizers whose work is deeply rooted in Latino traditions to ensure we preserve the vibrant parts of our ethnic backgrounds and heritage that inform who we are as a people.”
The collaborative efforts of Arte Público Press, Nuestra Palabra and MECA highlight the profound impact of Hispanic cultural organizations on the holistic growth of Houston’s arts, literary, and cultural scenes. These organizations enrich the city’s cultural fabric by preserving historical narratives and promoting artistic expression. More importantly, they provide vital support and inspiration to future generations, ensuring their continued growth and development.
This Hispanic Heritage Month invites everyone to explore, engage with, and support these Houston Cultural Treasures, vital to preserving and renewing our shared cultural history.
