Latino Arts for Humanity

Leticia Vazquez Smith At Dayton Ohio Folk Festival

She participated in 3 panels

•  Ritual and spirit in folk art 
•  Evolution in Mexican Food  Tortilla time
•  Let's talk ingredients; Corn, Chile, Chocolate

Leticia Vazquez-Smith is a native of Mexico City who now lives in Columbus. She is is an ardent promoter of traditional Mexican culture through her work as a cultural worker, craftswoman, business owner, researcher and president of the Latino Arts for Humanity organization. She is particularly interested in traditional Mexican foodways and Day of the Dead celebrations, interests that she has combined since 2005 with an annual Day of the Dead exhibition and bilingual community workshops. The Day of the Dead traditions are based on the belief that one can continue to maintain a relationship with one’s loved ones, even after that person has passed away. This is celebrated on a designated day when families gather to honor their dead by posting their pictures, favorite objects and food on a makeshift altar. They may also write poems (called calaveras) or sing their favorite songs. It is not a sad nor scary day, but one full of family love and spiritual faith.

Cityfolk Dayton OH

The Latino Ohio exhibition has influence even beyond the festival. This year, the Cityfolk Festival is working closely with the “Welcome Dayton: Immigrant Friendly City” initiative, a move to raise awareness of the benefits of a culturally and economically diverse community, by focusing on Ohio’s large and growing Latino population. “We bring music from all over the world and make it a part of Dayton,” says Kathleen Alter, Executive Director of Cityfolk.