By: Ashmar Mandou

Latino Art Beat in collaboration with the Cuban Ministry and Casas del Cultura, announced the 2026 Cuba Latino Art Beat winners, highlighting the talented work of ten students across Cuba. “Their talent always amazes me,” said Don Rossi-Nuccio, president and CEO of Latino Art Beat. “I am so proud to see the work of these talented young artists, and to see how much the support has grown over the years.” Now in its 26th year, nine of which have been a partnership with the Cuban Ministry, Latino Art Beat has hosted five art competitions in Cuba circling around the theme of “Friendship Between the Youth of the United States and Cuba.” Despite rising political tensions between the US and Cuba, Rossi-Nuccio spoke about the impact Latino Art Beat has had over the years, the talent of the young artists, and his latest passion project, providing medical attention to children in need in Cuba.

Lawndale News: How did the partnership between Latino Art Beat and the Cuban Ministry develop?

Don Rossi-Nuccio: The partnership started when I was with President Barack Obama back in 2016 during his visit to Havana, Cuba as part of the People-to-People Exchanges program. I introduced the Latino Art Beat program there and the Ministry of Culture said that they had a division within their ministry that worked with young people across Cuba. It was called Casas del Cultura. So my everyday working partner became Casas del Cultura and the first couple of years I would visit the schools, and I would make a pitch to join the competition. The Cuban Ministries really loved the idea of the theme of the competition that year, which was “Friendship Between the Youth of the United States and Cuba.” The theme was so profound to the Ministry that it has remained the same over the last nine years.

LN: How would you describe the impact Latino Art Beat has had on the lives of these students beyond the competition?

DRN: Well, for the students they are thrilled to be part of an international competition. Obviously, Latino Art Beat is a United States non-for-profit, so we are in Cuba being a United States organization. However, over the years the Cubans have decided to say, “Well, it’s really Cuba Latino Art Beat, it’s not just Latino Art Beat.” The students are very pro the United States. They admire the United States, they have aspirations to study in the United States. There is so much enthusiasm that they become Latino Art Beat ambassadors. The students talk about Latino Art Beat with their peers and there is so much support beyond the competition. There is a strong sense of community, everyone shows up to support these students.

LN: You’ve seen incredible artwork over the years due to this partnership with Casas del Cultura. How has the artwork impacted you?

DRN: As you know Latino Art Beat is in its 26th anniversary year, so we have seen, and I have seen, personally thousands of pieces of artwork from kids all over the United States and from kids in Europe and Cuba. It always impresses me with the ingenuity of these young kids because we basically work with high school age kids all over the place. Their ingenuity is just amazing. You can’t imagine their creativity until you see their thoughts on paper. For example, this year’s first place winner, Maia Gómez. She did two arms, both draped in the Cuban and American flags, respectively. And then their fingers are making a heart. And even though it’s simple, it has tremendous meaning behind it. This is coming from a 17-year-old kid, not a 35-year-old professional artist. So, when I see the artwork, I’m just, not only thrilled but I am amazed every year by the ingenuity of these kids.

LN: There is an added component to Latino Art Beat this year. Can you talk to me about your work with Havana Children’s Hospital?

DRN: I have tried to avoid the political atmosphere, but it is just a travesty to see how President Trump’s US oil embargo is affecting everyday life for the Cuban people. By not allowing oil to come into the country, the electrical plants are oil based and if people have generators, they need gasoline for it to run. People need gasoline to put in their cars to be able to go back and forth, public transportation needs gasoline to get kids from their homes to schools, all of that has seriously diminished. More importantly, hospitals are in dire need of medical supplies. Hospitals are not receiving needed medical supplies. During my recent trip to Cuba, I donated supplies, such as gowns, masks, etc., to the Havana Children’s Hospital where they help children with cancer. It’s an amazing institution where they treat and give advance medicine and care, however with the embargo the hospital is unable to provide their first line medications for these children. As a result, the mortality rate has climbed in the last couple of weeks. I am urging anyone who is able to donate to contact me at latinoartbeat@hotmail.com. I know the families will be grateful.

For more information on Latino Art Beat, its domestic programs, and its Cuban youth in the arts outreach send an email to latinoartbeat@hotmail.com.

First Place Winner Maia Gómez Mareno “Peace in Hands”

Third Place Winner Keylin Helen Gutiérrez Escalona “We Are One”

Photo Credit: Latino Art Beat