The Indianapolis Liberation Center is growing and gives a heartfelt welcome to our newest affiliate member–the Hispanic Cultural Hub. The Hub started in 2024 by founding member Esperanza “Pera”, a lover of Hispanic artistic expression and Mexican-American culture. Esperanza organizes local artists and artisans into her organization to give more opportunities for creatives from working class backgrounds. The Hub and the Fonseca-Du Bois Gallery recently collaborated on two shows this year–The Hispanic Cultural Hub Exhibition and Frida by Colors. These two shows resulted in rising artists successfully selling art pieces that resonated with people in the community.
Pera said that she decided to join the Liberation Center “because we have collaborated with the Center in the past and believe that our purpose in helping the art community align.” The Hub is a place for gathering and cultural exchange that celebrates the richness of the Hispanic traditions integrating local culture and art. Pera has a vast network of local artists who reach wider audiences to promote their art and culture. The Hub organizes many artist vendor events at the AMP at 16Tech campus near the Riverside neighborhood and other locations. The events are filled with a wide variety of artistic expression that includes paintings, jewelry, screen printing, and fashion, to name a few. Many of the artists and artisans participating in the Hub are emerging artists/artisans from marginalized working class backgrounds seeking opportunities to make their artwork a successful career. The Hub provides those opportunities, which deeply aligns with the mission of the Indianapolis Liberation Center in lifting up the poor and oppressed in Indianapolis and beyond.
“The majority of the artists who participate in the Hub are members of the community who enjoy creating and showcasing their work with the community.” Pera continued, “Also by teaching through art workshops available to the community at large.” One artist workshop organized in collaboration with the Hub involved working with artist Gabriela Mojica to design and build piñatas. Through these successful and significant art openings and workshops, we can provide the programming space, and the Hub can connect us to an artist to lead and teach us how to tap into our own creativity.
The Indianapolis Liberation Center is located in the Fountain Square neighborhood. Since our move to Fountain Square in November 2025, we recognized a new terrain of struggle for us in the arts and culture of our city. As many art programs have been defunded, we find a way forward to create art opportunities for emergent artistic talent in Indianapolis. Our artists deserve more opportunities and more support. We are excited to welcome groups in the city already engaged in this work to save the arts and help our art scene continue to grow and develop.
Featured photo: Members of the Hispanic Cultural Hub and the Indianapolis Liberation pose for a picture opening night of Frida by Colors. Photo credit: The Hispanic Cultural Hub.