Latin American and Pre-Columbian Open Session:

Ellen T. Baird (etbaird@uic.edu)

El Arte in the Midwest:

Jamie Ratliff (jratliff@d.umn.edu)

This session invites papers on any aspect of art and visual culture that attests to the significant presence of Latina/o cultures in Chicago and the Midwest. While in art history, the terms “Latina/o” and “Chicana/o” are most often associated with styles and identities of the American Southwest, successive waves of immigration to the Midwestern states since the nineteenth century have led to demographic shifts that continue to grow with each generation. This panel seeks to highlight the histories and contributions of Latinos to Chicago and the Midwest as they have manifested themselves visually through the work of artists who self-identify as Latina/o or one of its subcategories (Chicana/o, Cuban American, Puerto Rican, etc.). It aims to explore some of the regional and historical differences in Latina/o communities and the ways in which Latina/o artists throughout the Midwest have engaged with the American experience, constructed their own sense of Latinidad, and/or addressed ideas of cultural difference. Topics may include artists, murals, museum projects, or individual art works, installations, or performances that add to and/or problematize current understandings of “American” and “heartland” cultures in the U.S. and expand upon prevailing definitions of “Latina/o” or “Chicana/o” art.

·                Proposals of no more than 250 words and a two-page CV should be emailed (preferably as Word documents) to the chairs of individual sessions.

·                Conference presentations are expected to be no longer than twenty minutes long.

·                Graduate students are encouraged to submit proposals (in some circumstances, a modest amount of financial aid is available for graduate students).

·                All speakers must be members of MAHS and registered for the conference.

·                Every session room will be equipped with computer, projector, sound, and technology support.

Extended Deadline for submissions: Friday, January 8, 2016.