Rigoberto González @ the Library of Congress

Rigoberto González 

delivering his lecture

post-lecture conversation and Q&A

"Have we done right by the lessons of those who came before? Have we done our part to clear a path for those who came after. This is the light under which I present the following lecture about the contemporary period of Latino poetry and its most exceptional voices, who will guide us through the shifting demographics of this country's population--for I am convinced that Latino letters, so often ignored or overlooked by the current literary establishment, will become the most important cultural testaments bearing witness to the era of transition"
                                                      ---Rigoberto González, April 10, 2014
                                                                                  
One of the highlights of the 2013/14 Letras Latinas season  was Rigoberto González's lecture, "Latino Poetry: Pivotal Voices, Era of Transition" at the Library of Congress this past April. Above are some snapshots from the playing video. Below is the embedded video itself. 

González's lecture references a number of poets, but hones in on six: Eduardo. C. Corral, J. Michael Martínez, David Tomás Martínez, Carmen Gimenez Smith, Laurie Ann Guerrero, and Cynthia Cruz. Among the more established voices he references are the late José Montoya, to whom lecture is dedicated, Francisco X. Alarcón, Pat Mora, Raúl Salinas, and Sandra Cisneros.

Letras Latinas programming in Washington, D.C. is made possible,

in part, thanks to the Weissberg Foundation

and individual donors.

Richard Montoya @ Notre Dame (1)

In his remarks before giving his terrific presentation yesterday, Richard Montoya mentioned that one of the highlights of his first full day on campus was being shown some of Gil Cárdenas' archive which includes, of course, visual art, but also the papers (fliers, posters, you name it) that have been collected over the years---that visually document various aspects of the Chicano Movement. Above, ILS archivist Tracy Grimm shows Montoya some prints. And looming behind them on the wall: an arresting work of art by Richard's uncle, Malaquias Montoya.

One of the reasons for Richard Montoya's visit to Notre Dame was to be present at the opening reception of Galería América's exhibition of some of his father's visual art. Above is the guest book for the exhibit, as well as one of the gems of the exhibit. "Galería América" is the modest exhibition space at the Institute for Latino Studies where we have, on average, two exhibits per semester.

Richard Montoya converses with Gil Cárdenas and Agustín Fuentes.

Richard Montoya offers an informal gallery talk

on José Montoya's art.

Richard Montoya and "mi otro yo."

Galería América: Institute for Latino Studies, University of Notre Dame

click on the image for a better view.