Notable Quotables: Hispanic and Latinx NEA National Heritage Fellows


By Aunye Boone
On stage: Puerto Rican man (right) wears a white hat and suit performing on stage alongside seven musicians (three men are playing drums and four women are behind them holding Puerto Rico flags).

2017 NEA National Heritage Fellow Modesto Cepeda (right) performs with musicians and dancers from El Centro Cultural de Bomba y Plena during the 2017 NEA Heritage concert. Photo by Tom Pich

Each year, since 1988, America celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month—spotlighting the vibrant heritage and accomplishments of Hispanic/Latinx communities. These contributions are deeply woven into the fabric of our nation, leaving an everlasting impact on the arts, culture, and economy.

One of the ways in which the NEA honors heritage is through our National Heritage Fellowships. Among these fellows are Hispanic/Latinx artists and culture bearers who connect cultures and pass traditions, history, and artistry to the next generation. Let’s take a look some of the fellows who have given notable quotes through the years.

2013 NEA National Heritage Fellow Ramón “Chunky” Sánchez: Chicano Musician and Culture Bearer

Black graphic with white colored text on the right side and photo of man on the left, wearing a brown hat and singing into a mic

2022 NEA National Heritage Fellow Eva Enciñias: Flamenco Artist

Yellow graphic with white text on the right side and a female flamenco dancer on the left side wearing a yellow dress

2016 NEA National Heritage Fellow Artemio Posadas: Master Huastecan Son Musician and Advocate

Blue graphic with white text on the right and a man on the left with a straw hat holding a guitar

Lorenzo Martínez, of the 2003 NEA Heritage Fellow Father-Son Music Duo Roberto and Lorenzo Martínez: Musician

Green graphic with white text on the right and a man in a black shirt on the left, holding a guitar

2019 NEA National Heritage Fellow Josephine Lobato: Spanish Colcha Embroiderer

Red graphic with white text on the right and a photo of a woman on the left holding an embroidered artwork

2020 NEA National Heritage Fellow Hugo Morales: Radio Producer and Radio Network Builder

Orange graphic with white text on the right side and a man on the left with black headphones over his ears, speaking into a microphone

2013 NEA National Heritage Fellow Verónica Castillo: Ceramicist and Clay Sculptor

Brown graphic with white text on the right and a woman on the left with a red shawl around her shoulders, holding her clay work in a room full of her artwork

Louie Pérez of the 2021 National Heritage Fellow Band Los Lobos: Songwriter and Instrumentalist

Dark green graphic with white text on the right and a man on the left wearing black glasses, a black shirt, and holding a guitar

2020 NEA National Heritage Fellow Suni Paz: Nueva Canción Singer and Songwriter 

Dark red graphic with white text on the right and a woman on the left with a black and white shirt holding a guitar

2018 NEA National Heritage Fellow Ofelia Esparza: Chicana Altarista (Day of the Dead Altar Maker)

Purple graphic with white text on the right and a woman on the left surrounded by her Day of the Dead artwork

On Friday, September 29, the in-person National Heritage Fellowships Ceremony—inducting the 2023 class and recognizing previous classes—will take place at the Library of Congress' Thomas Jefferson Building, and it is open to the public. Meet the 2023 class of NEA National Heritage Fellows here!

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