Phoenix - For the past two years, Latino arts and culture advocates have been preparing for the curtain to rise on a Latino cultural center in Phoenix.

Now, on First Friday, Dec. 4, from 5 - 10 p.m., the board and volunteers of Advocates for Latin@ Arts & Culture Consortium, Inc. will welcome guests for a gallery art show and a program of entertainment by ALAC performing artists at its art space at 147 E. Adams in downtown Phoenix.

This new First Friday Art experience also will feature an inaugural ribbon-cutting ceremony by dignitaries that include Mayor Phil Gordon, Phoenix Councilman Michael Nowakowski, and David Cavazos, City Manager.

At that time, a new logo design created by Urias Communications will be unveiled, along with the new name for the Latino cultural center facility. And architectural visions of a renovated Latino art space by ALAC Partners, Merz Project architectural firm, Chris Nieto and Joe Herzog.

For Latino artists and their supporters, this event is more than just a celebration, it is a reflection of the impact that Latinos have made on the fabric of Valley life.

“Opening doors for our Latino arts and culture reflects one of our major goals to enhance the lives of all citizens in Phoenix by providing education on Latino arts, culture, and traditions. As Latinos we are proud to celebrate all the lasting contributions that Latinos have made to the arts, our economy, and our community,” says ErLinda Tórres, the president of the ALAC Board of Directors.

“We also are honoring our Latino and non Latino sponsors, partners, community leaders, and ALAC members that have supported us and worked with us to develop the cultural center during the past two years,” Tórres adds.

First Friday revelers are invited to enjoy a visual arts show titled “Galeria 147 Presenta Visiones de ALAC.” The exhibition will feature 80 pieces of artwork by noted Arizona artists such as Zarco Guerrero, Martin Moreno, Jim Covarrubias, Juliet de la Rosa, Marco Albarran, Jose Benevides, Dora Hernandez, Andres Giron, Roman Reyes and others.

For the Phoenix elected officials that have made a Latino cultural center possible, this night will place on center stage the richness and diversity of Hispanic arts.

“The City of Phoenix welcomes this historic opening of the new Latino Cultural Center in our downtown area,” says Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon. “Many on our city staff have worked to make this dream a reality. Now Arizonans and tourists have a place to experience Latino arts and culture, and our revitalized Phoenix downtown core has another art center gem to showcase.”

Featured entertainment for this Latino-themed First Friday event will include live Latin jazz, and music and dance by Flamenco del Sol and Opendance, among other acts.  

Phoenix Councilman Michael Nowakowski sees this event as a magnet that will attract Latinos and non-Latinos to come together to learn from each other while enjoying an evening of Latino art and entertainment.

“The new Latino Cultural Center symbolizes the triumph of a vision held by Latino artists to bring their art expressions to our community in one central location,” says Nowakowski, councilman in District 7. “Latinos have a long history of making art in Phoenix and helping to build this great city. Now with the arts center opening, that proud history marches into a new era. We are all proud of Advocates for Latin@ Arts & Culture Consortium for their success.”

Advocates for Latin@ Arts and Culture Consortium is a 501 (c) (3) Non-profit organization of Latino artists of all disciplines and more than a dozen Latino art organizations. A Latino center in downtown Phoenix is only the beginning of the ALAC vision. The organization will launch a major fund-raising campaign to build a larger, multi-million dollar, multi-purpose museum, performance center, and art gallery in the Valley of the Sun.