Wisconsin Conference on Latino Art And Culture (WCLAC)
This free conference was originally planned as an in-person event but moved online in response to the surge in COVID, and featured an inspiring lineup of nearly a dozen Latino artists, predominantly Wisconsin-based.
Attendees from across Wisconsin had the opportunity to engage with workshops led by renowned artists such as filmmaker Alex Miranda Cruz, graphic designer Jerry Chapa, poet laureate Angie Trudell Vasquez, mural artist Reynaldo Hernández, musician Dinorah Márquez of the Latino Arts Strings Program, and Mariachi Juvenil, among others. Following the format of popular TED Talks, each session featured an 18-minute presentation followed by a lively Q&A segment.
The event featured keynote addresses by esteemed Arizona-based artists: performer, mask maker, and performer Zarco Guerrero kicked off the conference, while bead artist, educator, and organizer Carmen De Novais-Guerrero closed the event. Two in-person activities—an evening networking event and a cartoneras workshop—were hosted by the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art (MMoCA) and its Rooftop Sculpture Garden.
WCLAC spotlighted the artistic achievements of Wisconsin's largest minority and drew attention to the state's sizable Latinx population, which stands at 447,290 according to the 2020 Census.