A 21st-Century Connection in Art

From the aftermath of civil war to the uncertainty of migration and the journey back to find family roots, works on display now in UMD’s newly reopened Stamp Gallery explore the cultural and linguistic bonds of 21st-century artists of Central American heritage. 

“Connected Diaspora: Central American Visuality in the Age of Social Media” celebrates the work of primarily first- and second-generation Americans of Central American origin who have “largely built connections over social media,” said Tara Youngborg, manager of the Stamp Gallery. The exhibit, co-sponsored by the School of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures, is curated by Washington, D.C.-based artist Veronica Melendez, who has also brought together works from these artists in another DIY fashion, a zine called "La Horchata Zine," published with Kimberly Benavides. 

Visitors can see the exhibit in person at the Stamp Gallery, which has capped attendance at 20 people at a time. Panel discussions will be held online, including one at 5 p.m. tomorrow with several of the artists and Melendez.

“I hope that our viewers get a sense of the diaspora and of these experiences and maybe learn about some artists that they wouldn’t typically see on view in the U.S.,” said Youngborg. See the gallery below for a peek of some of the colorful art on display.