Houston exhibits a rich yet implicit art scene. As such, there are numerous and influential non-profit organizations that attempt to flesh out an art scene into a defining aspect of Houston’s identity; part of this identity is the strong Latino presence with its population projected to take the majority beginning in 2011, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.

Of course, this Latino presence continues to burgeon in many ways every year and the arts should be no exception. A few, well established organizations have taken this effort to heart, such as Talento Bilingue de Houston and Multicultural Education and Counseling through the Arts (MECA) which have invested greatly into young (K-12) Latino artists with the aid of professional artists, the academic community, and others.

However, therein lies an untapped group: university students. University Latino Artists (ULA) seeks to close the gap between the young and the professional with a constituency that is not only dedicated to pursuing their craft, but still developing a voice and identity. ULA hopes to channel this middle generation’s search for stability to create an art movement in the city of Houston, creating a Latino art identity that holds the potential of staying power from Latino artists enrolled in the university.

This Latino art movement will be accomplished in a manner of ways: hosting local showcases of Latino student artists and their work, creating partnerships and/or mentorships between university Latino artists, professional artists, and kindergarten to high school students, grass roots training and organization, an annual event where all of the arts unite to develop an artistic presence, and if possible, raise funds for scholarships and/or grants.

Please join ULA in creating a movement, an artistic identity for Latinos in Houston where the young and the old can look to for solidarity. For more information to help or become a member, contact ULA at universitylatinoartists@gmail.com.

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