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Americanos: Latino Life in the United States

Jan. 17–March 14, 2004

link to larger-format image Antonio Perez, First communion day, Chicago, IL link to larger-format image Genaro Molina, Sofia Gonzales has sold Mexican brooms in front of her home in East Los Angeles for almost twenty years Los Angeles, CA link to larger-format image Genaro Molina, Ramona Sandoval with her granddaughter Jasmine Zubia, Los Angeles, CA link to larger-format image Paul Perez, Cruise night, Yuma, AZ

Americanos presents over 100 photographs by 30 of the nation’s top photojournalists offering an extraordinary view of the breadth and variety of the American Latino experience. This striking collection of images is organized into thematic sections that focus on family, spiritual life, work, community, the arts, sports, and other aspects of American Latino life. Panels with texts by Carlos Fuentes, Julia Alvarez, Celia Cruz, Sandy Alomar, Jr., and other prominent Latinos introduce each section of the exhibition. The de Saisset Museum will be the only San Francisco Bay Area venue for this exhibition.

Americanos represents a unique collaboration between Edward James Olmos, known for his acting roles in films such as Stand and Deliver, and the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service. A large-format, full-color book published by Little, Brown and Company accompanies the exhibition. A full-length documentary about the making of the Americanos exhibition and publication, produced and narrated by Olmos, premiered on the HBO cable channel and will be presented in conjunction with the exhibition.

Americanos: Latino Life in the United States, a project of Olmos Productions, has been organized by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service and the Smithsonian Center for Latino Initiatives. The exhibition has been made possible through the generous support of Time Warner and Farmers Insurance.