Hope, Ark. – Southwest Arkansas Arts Council (SWAAC) announces upcoming events that celebrate Hispanic heritage in southwest Arkansas.

The first event will celebrate the works of art done by Hispanic and Latino artists from the surrounding communities and throughout Arkansas. The Hispanic Heritage Gallery Exhibit will have a ‘membership only’ reception for the artists and their guests on Thursday, September 29, 5:30pm to 7:30pm. The Gallery Exhibit will then open to the public beginning September 30 at 10am and will run through October 31. 

The second event will focus on bringing our community together to celebrate the Hispanic and Latino cultures. What better way to bring our community together than with festivities that will include live music, a DJ, a Latino musician/motivational speaker and food! 

Starting the evening off, Al “Papa Rap” Lopez, originally from Puerto Rico, an award-winning songwriter and charismatic Latino performer, musician, writer, and inspirational motivational speaker, will delight the whole family. His live stage show engages an audience with bilingual songs, fun drum playing, and Caribbean Salsa and Merengue dancing. Then DJ Sonido del Barrio and headliners Norteños TK will take the stage and finish out the evening. 

“We are so excited to bring these two cultural experiences to our community and to celebrate the diversity that our community offers,” event chairs and SWAAC board members Ashley Martinez and Tanya Alvarado exclaimed. “This year’s event is just the beginning. We wanted to celebrate the Hispanic and Latino cultures first; then, hopefully in the future, we can incorporate additional ethnicities to the festival,” the Arts Council’s Executive Director, Jennifer Block added.

For more information contact Jennifer Block, Executive Director, 

Southwest Arkansas Arts Council, 870-777-8200 or [email protected]. 

Website: www.swa-artscouncil.squarespace.com

Location: 200 Division Street Hope, AR 71801

The mission of the Southwest Arkansas Arts Council (SWAAC) is to enrich our community through experience, expression, education in all the arts.

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