Richmond Exhibition 'Hilos Heredados' Celebrates Latinx Art and Culture

On Saturday, September 6, 2025, the Visual Arts Center of Richmond will inaugurate "Hilos Heredados" ("Inherited Threads"), a Latinx art exhibition that seeks to challenge prevailing myths about Latin America and celebrate its rich cultural heritage. The exhibition will be open to the public from 6 to 9 p.m. in the Dominion Room at 1812 West Main Street, Richmond, VA 23220, and will run until September 20, 2025.

Curated by Alex Dimas, along with collaborators Ambrose Hernandez Godoy and Nathan Hosmer Nevarez, "Hilos Heredados" features works from 19 Latino and Latinx artists. The exhibition encompasses a variety of media, including paintings, photography, textiles, ceramics, and music, exploring themes such as identity, spirituality, mental health, and queerness. Dimas, the child of immigrant parents, aims to confront stereotypes about Latin America and provide a platform for underrepresented voices.

The opening reception is designed to evoke the warmth of a family gathering, featuring performances by artists such as Brookhouse and MusiqReiv. Dimas hopes the event will help Hispanic people feel "at home" and connected, educate audiences about the diverse experiences of queer Latinx individuals, and push back against narratives suggesting immigrants "don't belong" in the U.S.

The Visual Arts Center of Richmond (VisArts) has been a cornerstone of the Richmond arts community since its founding in 1963 as the Hand Workshop. Located in the historic Virginia Dairy building, VisArts offers a 30,000-square-foot arts center, including the 1,800-square-foot True F. Luck Gallery. The center provides over 1,000 visual and creative arts classes annually, serving more than 45,000 people through classes, exhibitions, and community outreach programs.

"Hilos Heredados" coincides with Hispanic Heritage Month, providing a platform for Latinx artists to share their stories and challenge prevailing myths about Latin America. By addressing themes like identity and immigration, the exhibition fosters a deeper understanding of the diverse experiences within the Latinx community. Dimas envisions making the show an annual tradition to create more spaces for Latinx art to thrive in Richmond.

"Hilos Heredados" stands as a testament to the power of art in bridging cultural divides and fostering community understanding. As Richmond continues to embrace its diverse population, exhibitions like this play a crucial role in celebrating and preserving the rich narratives that shape the city's cultural landscape.