Latino Cultural Committee
The Firehouse Art Center’s Latino Cultural Committee ensures the accessibility and educational impact of our programming highlighting Latin American communities, traditions, and artwork.
Learn more about the latest programming for Centro Cultural Latino at the Firehouse Art Center »
Narciso Argüelles
Narciso grew up in Mexico near the U.S. border. While still an undergraduate student at the University of California, San Diego, Narciso started collaborating with the internationally known Border Art/Workshop/Taller de Arte Fronterizo and soon became a full member. Narciso has exhibited at the 9th Biennale of Sydney, The First Johannesburg Biennale in South Africa, The Alternative Biennale in Tucuman Argentina, and all over the United States, including New York City, New Mexico, New Haven, Tulsa, and Los Angeles. Argüelles has held several residencies including teaching and making art overseas in Istanbul, Turkey. Currently, Narciso Argüelles is a college instructor and high school art teacher in Oklahoma.
Sam Wargin Grimaldo
Sam is a criminal defense attorney from South Oklahoma City. He is deeply involved in the local Latino community and volunteers regularly for neighborhood events and programming. Prior to practicing law, Mr. Wargin Grimaldo was a high school teacher for Oklahoma City Public Schools. He also serves as a trustee for the Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center and chairs the Education & Public Programs committee there.
Mariana Llanos
Mariana is a writer of children's literature. Born in Lima, Peru, she has published several books in the United States, where she lives. She is the winner of the 2022 Oklahoma Book Award with her book Run Little Chase/Run Little Chase (Barefoot Books 2021) . Other titles include Luca's Bridge/El puente de Luca (2021 ALSC Notable Book Awards), Eunice and Kate (Paterson Prize Books for Young Readers) Kutu, the Tiny Inca Princess (Campoy-Ada Awards), among others. In 2017, Mariana received the Oklahoma Human Rights Award for her work visiting schools in different countries around the world through virtual technology. That same year she was selected as the Best Latino Artist by the Hispanic Arts Council of Oklahoma. Her latest works include the audio story Qoritika and the Three Alpacas, featured on Tiny Tales by Pampers Podcast produced by Sony Music Entertainment, and her new picture book Benita and the Night Creatures/Benita y las criaturas nocturnas (Barefoot Books 2023). She is also a founding member of LatinxPitch, a virtual event that seeks to promote the representation of Latino creatives in the children’s publishing industry. In addition to writing, Mariana is an experienced speaker and advocate for diversity in children's literature. She resides in Oklahoma City with her children