Howland Center Celebrates Hispanic History Month

BEACON – The Howland Cultural Center joins the annual National Celebration of Hispanic American History Month with an art exhibition, We, Too, Believe, featuring 14 Hispanic (Latinx) artists of the Hudson Valley. Visitors may view the exhibition from Saturday, September 5 through Sunday, September 27, 2020. As a direct result of the Coronavirus crisis, the art gallery will only be open on Saturdays and Sundays from 1:00 – 5:00 pm with specific stipulations: everyone entering the Howland must wear a face mask, use the hand sanitizer – provided in the lobby, and adhere to the restriction of limiting the number of visitors viewing the artwork at one time. Another significant change- there will be no formal opening receptions until further notice.

The fourteen participating artists, Jose Acosta, Salvador Arellano, Edwin Batres, Aurelio Castano, Helen Corporan, Daniel A. De Leon Villalobos, Rafael Feliberti, Audrey Francis, Jose Gonzalez-Soto, Nestor Madalengoitia, Wilfredo Morel, Henry James Nuhn, Marisa del Pozo Slick and Julia Santos Solomon claim their heritage from the Spanish-speaking countries of the Caribbean, Columbia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru, Puerto Rico and Spain. Their art works provide a diversity of expression and creativity in paintings, sculptures and hand-beaded jewelry. much of which show the artists’ cultural influences. The artists are well-known in the Hudson Valley and many have been invited to show in galleries, museums and consulates nationally and internationally.

The Howland Cultural Center joins the annual National Celebration of Hispanic American History Month with an art exhibition. Pictured above is a piece from the artist Jose Acosta.
The Howland Cultural Center joins the annual National Celebration of Hispanic American History Month with an art exhibition. Pictured above is a piece from the artist Jose Acosta.

The Howland Cultural Center takes pride and pleasure in celebrating the rich, cultural traditions from generations of Hispanics which have had profound and positive influences in the development, character, and success of this nation. The 2010 National Census reported that people of Hispanic (Latinx) origin numbered over 50 million or 16% of the national population indicating they are the nation’s largest minority group. Also, history records that Hispanics had explored and settled in the Western Hemisphere at least a century prior to other European explorations; they were well established in settlements now known as St. Augustine, Florida, Santa Fe, New Mexico, and later in San Antonio, Tucson, San Diego, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.

“America has always drawn its strength from the contributions of a diverse population. Throughout our nation, Hispanics are advancing our economy, improving our communities and bettering our country.” Spanish-speaking people have always been a vital part of America’s founding and development. Their contributions are well documented in Cecilia M. Garcia’s publication, Hispanic Threads in America. She writes, “The United States has a rich history that goes back at least three hundred years. Hispanics have always played major roles in building this country and making it a better place.” “The warmth and vitality of Hispanic Americans, their strong commitment to family, faith, hard work, and service…..their cultural influences, are evident in many aspects of American Life.” The Hispanics (Latinx) are also proud of serving in the armed forces during every major military conflict since the Revolutionary War.

As of 2010, forty-three Hispanics have been awarded the nation’s highest honor, The Congressional Medal of Honor.

The Howland Cultural Center is located at the east end of Main Street in Beacon. For further information and/or directions, please call the Howland at (845) 831-4988 .

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