Arts Agenda: Hispanic Heritage Month

Each week, ArtsATL delivers a critic’s short list of the shows, exhibitions, concerts and events we recommend for the coming weeks within one discipline or venue type in the kaleidoscope of Atlanta arts and culture. This week, we spotlight events that mark Hispanic Heritage Month, which takes place September 15 through October 15.

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Through September 28

Seven years ago, Salvadorian artist Patricia Hernandez founded Nuestra Creación to uplift Latine, LGBTQ+ and BIPOC artists — groups long underrepresented in Atlanta’s art spaces. While the event began as a pop-up show, it was met with enthusiasm and quickly transformed into an annual exhibition celebrating Latine culture throughout September. Previously held at venues such as MINT Gallery and Old Rabbit Gallery, the exhibition now returns for its third year at Echo Contemporary Art. This year’s show features the works of 60 artists with work inspired by the word Ojalá, which translates to “hopefully” in Spanish and “God willing” in Arabic.

Through October 30

Caminos Compartidos showcases the vibrant and diverse works of artists of Latin origin, celebrating the richness, depth and cultural legacy of the Hispanic experience through painting, sculpture and ceramics. See it at The Gallery at Abernathy in Sandy Springs.

Through October 31

Somos Herencia is Fulton County Arts & Culture’s Hispanic Heritage month show at Peachtree Gallery at 141 Pryor St. It continues through October 31.

September 20-October 20

The Decatur Arts Alliance will partner with local group Placita Latina Decatur. Placita Latina is an exhibition celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month at the Decatur Arts Alliance Gallery through October 20.

September 26

The Grammy Award-winning Harlem Quartet is joined by Cuban pianist and composer Aldo López-Gavilán for Schumann’s beloved Piano Quintet in E-flat Major, followed by a journey through Cuba’s myriad musical traditions with works by López-Gavilán. It’s at the Schwartz Center for Performing Arts on September 26

September 27

Mexican dance group Alma Mexicana Danza Folklórica will bring music and traditional Mexican folk dances and music to the Fulton County Library’s Sandy Springs branch at 4 p.m. on September 27.

September 29

The Joan P. Garner Library at Ponce De Leon will mark Hispanic Heritage Month with a special storytime exploring the rich cultural tradition of weaving, followed by a hands-on craft where kids ages 5 and up can create their own colorful woven bookmarks at 4 p.m. on September 29.

September 30

Oakland Cemetery’s Colors of Culture is this month’s Homeschool Day, which explores the historic and cultural contributions of Latino and Hispanic communities in metro Atlanta with first-person narratives, a deep dive into the cultural roots of Dia de Muertos and hands-on arts activities that reflect the vibrant expression of Hispanic culture.

October 2-5

The Georgia Latino International Film Festival, presented by the Georgia Latino Film Alliance, will screen 35 feature and short films from all over Latin America, Spain, Georgia and the United States, along with discussions with the directors and a series of special events highlighting the diversity of the Latino culture. 2025 marks the 14th anniversary of the Festival, which includes events at the Fox Theatre, NGC Cinema in Brookhaven, Berkmar High School in Lilburn and more from October 2 through October 5.

October 2-12

La Cucarachita Martina (Martina, the Little Roach) is a Latin rock musical based on a popular Cuban and Puerto Rican children’s story that integrates Spanish vocabulary. See it at the Center for Puppetry Arts from October 2 through October 12.

October 4

Oyefest, Atlanta’s Latin music and arts festival, will feature more than 30 musical artists alongside DJs, art, food and community in the heart of the city at 550 Mitchell St. Performers include Álvaro Diaz, Alexis y Fido and Snow Tha Product. The music begins at 1 p.m. on October 4.

October 5

In Sounds of Hispanidad, Emory piano students will offer a program of compositions by Ignacio Cervantes, Alberto Ginastera and other Latin and Hispanic composers at 4 p.m. October 5 at Emory University’s Performing Arts Studio.