The Museum of Latin America Art

Thanks to seemingly endless field trips in the 3rd and 4th grade where I felt forced to stare at moody, dark paintings of the late 19th century, my excitement for visiting museums died years ago. There are times when I enjoyed a small show or exhibition, but it took a special visit to a museum where every piece of art was captivating, to resurrect my interest in art. Art was, once again, fun!
The Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA) is located in the East Village Arts District of Long Beach. The small and modest beige building is accented with two vibrantly painted walls, one bright pink, and the other, bright blue. MOLAA prides itself on being the only museum in the Western half of the United States solely dedicated to the works and history of contemporary Latin American art.

The museum has a permanent collection that presents over seventy-five art pieces, which have been collected and showcased since the museum's opening in 1996. The collection includes art from all parts of South and Central America, including Chile, Panama, Uruguay, Argentina, and the Dominican Republic. Specialized exhibitions showcase art that is specific to different Latino cultures. Past exhibitions have included a Cuban exhibition entitled "Unbroken Ties" that focused on Cuban lifestyles outside of the island. "A Woman's Touch" centered on art created by three women, each from a different Latin American country. The museum even presents well-known artists such as Diego Rivera's murals, which were displayed in 2002.

The medium of art is not limited to paintings. Large photographs overflowing with colors cover the walls, and sculptures, made of everything from bread dough to paper maché, fill the empty spaces of each room. Unlike many other museums, the basis for MOLAA is not simply art, but to teach and unite people together over Latino communities and cultures.

Whether the story focuses on indigenous cultures or powerful governments, each is related to a universal theme that speaks to all artists and audiences. While the Mexican-American art may be celebrating Día de los Muertos, Cuban art might be stand for the rights of liberty and individualism, and Salvadoran art could be mourning the deaths of innocent lives due to corruption and deceit. Each artist understands the inherent beauty of life and survival of his or her own culture.

And, like all other great museums, MOLAA has an, albeit small, but exciting and interesting gift shop. Sometimes the trip to Long Beach is worth the vibrant poster on my own wall at the end of the day.

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