Museum of Latin American Art Marks 29th Anniversary by Recognizing Ella Fontanals-Cisneros and Senator Lena González, While Inaugurating a Groundbreaking Exhibition and Arts Fund.
The Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA) in Long Beach, California, is preparing for its highly anticipated 2025 Gala & Auction: Legacy in Motion, scheduled for Saturday, October 18, 2025. This year’s event not only celebrates MOLAA’s 29th anniversary but also underscores the institution’s role as the leading U.S. museum dedicated to modern and contemporary Latin American and Latinx art. The Gala is set to be a pivotal evening, simultaneously honoring exceptional leaders, launching a new exhibition, and establishing a fund dedicated to future generations of artists and community members.
Honoring Leadership and Philanthropy in the Latinx Community
At the core of the celebratory evening will be the presentation of the LEGADO Awards, MOLAA’s highest recognition, which honors individuals whose impact resonates deeply across culture, philanthropy, and public service. The 2025 recipients are emblematic of the Museum’s commitment to recognizing visionaries who are actively shaping the future of the arts and the Latinx community.
Ella Fontanals-Cisneros: Championing Global Latin American Art
Cuban-Venezuelan art collector and founder of the Cisneros-Fontanals Foundation (CIFO), Ella Fontanals-Cisneros, will receive the LEGADO Award in Philanthropy in the Arts. Her recognition is specifically for her groundbreaking efforts to elevate women artists and advance Latin American art on the world stage.
Fontanals-Cisneros has been a significant figure in the arts since she began collecting Latin American works in the 1970s, later expanding her collection to include cutting-edge international video art, photography, and installations.
- The CIFO Foundation, which she established in 2002, is a non-profit dedicated to supporting contemporary Latin American artists through grants, commissions, exhibitions, and bilingual publications. CIFO’s mission is to advance cultural understanding and educational exchange.
- Her influence extends beyond art patronage; she is also recognized as an entrepreneur, humanitarian, and environmentalist, having founded the Together Foundation in the U.S. in 1990 to connect the United Nations with field offices to share environmental best practices.
State Senator Lena González: A Dedicated Public Servant
California State Senator Lena González, a dedicated public servant representing California’s 33rd Senate District, will be honored with the LEGADO Award in Leadership. Her award recognizes her commitment to equity, opportunity, and representation for the Latinx community.
- Senator González currently serves as the Senate Majority Leader and Chair of the California Latino Legislative Caucus, advocating for critical policies impacting Californians.
- Before joining the Senate in 2019, she served on the Long Beach City Council, where she championed labor rights and local business support.
- Her legislative achievements include leading major policies such as Broadband for All, securing funds for zero-emission transportation, expanding paid sick leave, and authoring the Abortion Accessibility Act to remove barriers to care. Her landmark environmental legislation also includes Senate Bill 1137, aimed at ending neighborhood oil and gas drilling.
Launching the Collaborative Exhibition and Community Fund
The Gala coincides with two major institutional developments that reflect MOLAA’s forward-looking mission.
Tierra Cifrada / Coded Earth Exhibition
The event will mark the opening of MOLAA’s blockbuster exhibition, Tierra cifrada / Coded Earth, a highly anticipated collaboration with the CIFO Foundation. The exhibition will feature never-before-seen works by nine CIFO Award-winning artists hailing from a diverse array of countries, including Mexico, Guatemala, Chile, Brazil, Colombia, and the Dominican Republic. This collaboration serves to advance cross-cultural dialogue and present bold, innovative, and globally relevant perspectives in Latin American and Latinx art.
Tribute and Legacy: The Carmen O. Perez Access to the Arts Fund
MOLAA will also pay a special tribute to Carmen O. Pérez, a beloved community leader and passionate supporter of the arts and education. Pérez was a fearless and brilliant leader best known as the Port of Long Beach’s first Latina Harbor Commissioner, a position in which she served for 12 years and helped triple trade at the Port.
- Pérez’s extensive public service included roles as Vice Chair for the National Democratic Party and appointment to the California World Trade Commission by Governor Gray Davis. She also received the Key to the City in 2018.
- To honor her enduring legacy, the Gala will launch the Carmen O. Perez Access to the Arts Fund, an initiative dedicated to expanding opportunities for young people and ensuring access to transformative cultural experiences for future generations.
A Commitment to Inspiring Future Generations
Dr. Lourdes I. Ramos, President & CEO of MOLAA, emphasized that the 2025 Gala is a moment of reflection and ambition. “As MOLAA prepares to celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2026, this year’s Gala reflects both our deep respect for the trailblazers who have paved the way and our commitment to inspiring future generations,” she stated.
The proceeds from the Gala & Auction will be crucial in supporting MOLAA’s exhibitions, robust educational programming, and various community initiatives, allowing the museum to continue its mission of fostering appreciation for the rich artistic heritage of Latin America and beyond. MOLAA, founded in 1996, remains the only museum in the U.S. exclusively dedicated to modern and contemporary Latin American and Latinx art.
The event is supported by a wide range of individuals and corporate sponsors, including the Robert Gumbiner Foundation (Visionary Sponsor), Robert N. Braun, M.D. & Joan A. Friedman, Ph.D. (Champion Sponsors), and many more organizations committed to the Museum’s cultural mission.
For those interested in supporting this cultural cornerstone, limited tickets are available, with the funds going directly toward ensuring MOLAA remains a vibrant platform for contemporary art and creative culture for decades to come.
