Afro-Latino Festival Brings Music, Art and History to Iowa Central

Emily Denholm, Director of Marketing & Communications
9/17/2026

The sights and sounds of Latin America filled Iowa Central Community College on Wednesday, September 16, as students, faculty, staff and community members gathered for the annual Afro-Latino Festival.

Hosted by the Iowa Central Spanish Department, the festival featured live music and dance performances, traditional foods, art and opportunities to learn more about Latin American history and traditions.

Throughout the morning, attendees enjoyed performances representing countries and cultures from across Latin America. The lineup included Carlos Chacon of Venezuela, Cucho of Peru, Mambo Soul Dance of Peru, Danza Folklorica del Oeste of Mexico and SonPeruchos, representing Latin America.

For students, the festival provided an opportunity to experience music, dance, food and history in an interactive setting on campus.

The festival was also part of a month-long cultural and artistic display created by event coordinator and Spanish instructor Andrea Estling, who has adorned a campus hallway with artwork connected to Latin American culture and history.

Estling developed the display herself, securing grant funding and bringing together artwork representing Colombia, Indigenous peoples, African art and abstract artistic styles. The display provides another way for students to explore different artistic styles, traditions and historical perspectives throughout the month of September.

“I do it because I love it,” Estling said. “I enjoy sharing my culture through everything I create.”

For Estling, the project is also personal. Originally from Colombia, she said the display gives her an opportunity to share aspects of her home country, family and community with Iowa Central students.

One portion of the display that is particularly meaningful to Estling features artwork representing Indigenous women and men. She said the pieces provide an opportunity to learn more about the history and cultures that existed before Hispanic identity as it is commonly understood today.

The display also highlights a variety of artists and artistic styles, giving students an opportunity to encounter art and cultural perspectives they may not otherwise experience during their day on campus.

“It is absolutely amazing to see what she has created,” said Sonja Bock, professor of sociology. “She developed the concept, secured the grant funding, and put the display together herself. It is a beautiful and thoughtful addition to campus and gives students an opportunity to learn more about art, culture and history.”

Bock said the display goes beyond simply decorating a hallway and provides students with an opportunity to explore different artistic styles and cultural traditions.

Estling hopes the project can eventually grow into a walking gallery at Iowa Central, creating additional opportunities for students to encounter artwork and learn about different cultural traditions throughout campus.

The hallway display will remain available for students to view, extending the experience of the Afro-Latino Festival beyond the one-day event.

The Afro-Latino Festival began at Iowa Central in 2019 as a small classroom project and has since grown into an annual event. This year's festival brought together music, dance, food, art and history for a day of learning and campus activity.

For Estling, “Being able to share those parts of myself and my culture with Iowa Central students makes the work meaningful.”