In a moment when contemporary art often feels fragmented, the Buffalo AKG Art Museum has opened a show that brings together 58 artists from the Latin American and Caribbean diaspora in a single, ambitious exhibition. Titled Let Us Gather in a Flourishing Way, the project is the brainchild of Ecuadorian curator Andrea Alvarez, who spent years traveling across the United States and Puerto Rico to build a collection that resists easy categorization.
Alvarez’s curatorial vision is not about presenting a unified aesthetic. Instead, the exhibition embraces a multiplicity of visual languages—from intimate family portraits to large-scale installations that address environmental shifts and the politics of migration. The result is a sprawling, textured conversation about what it means to be Latino in the United States today.
From a Phoenix conversation to a national stage
The seeds of the exhibition were planted in a Phoenix studio, where Alvarez and a group of artists began questioning the very notion of belonging. “We kept coming back to the same questions: What does community mean when you’re spread across borders? How does art express that?” Alvarez said in a statement. Those conversations led to years of studio visits and research, revealing shared concerns about territory, memory, and the ties that bind families and neighborhoods.
Rather than forcing artists into a single narrative, Alvarez gave each participant the freedom to show their work on their own terms. That approach is evident in the diversity of pieces on view—some are deeply personal, others are overtly political, and many blur the line between the two. The exhibition’s title, borrowed from a phrase by poet and activist adrienne maree brown, suggests a gathering that is both celebratory and intentional.
Art that speaks to the moment
Walking through the galleries, visitors will encounter works that range from the intimate to the monumental. There are paintings that explore the textures of domestic life, sculptures that reference indigenous traditions, and video pieces that capture the rhythms of urban Latino communities. The show also includes works that respond to contemporary issues, such as climate change and the ongoing struggles for immigrant rights.
For many of the artists, the exhibition is a chance to reach a wider audience. “We’re not a monolith,” said one participant, a painter from Los Angeles. “This show lets people see the range of our experiences—not just the stereotypes.” That sentiment is echoed throughout the galleries, where the works defy any single label.
The exhibition also highlights the role of Latino art in shaping broader cultural conversations. As the Hard Summer festival demonstrated last year, Latino artists are increasingly at the forefront of cultural innovation, and this museum show is another sign of that shift.
A tour that will travel far
Let Us Gather in a Flourishing Way will remain on view at the Buffalo AKG until September 6, 2026. After that, it will embark on a national tour, bringing these works to audiences across the country. The tour is expected to expand the conversation, introducing new communities to the richness of Latino contemporary art.
For those who cannot make it to Buffalo, the exhibition’s online presence—including a video walkthrough and artist interviews—offers a glimpse into the show. But as Alvarez notes, there’s nothing like seeing the works in person. “The energy in the galleries is something you have to feel,” she said. “It’s a gathering, a celebration, and a call to keep asking questions.”
The exhibition is a reminder that Latino art is not a niche interest but a vital part of the American cultural landscape. As the LGBTQ+ Latino artists have shown in music and beyond, the community’s creative output is as diverse as its people. This show is a testament to that diversity, and a sign of more to come.
