Latin-American Heritage Art Contest & Expo

Latin Heritage Month

Celebrate the richness of Latin-American heritage at Sheridan through art, culture, and community. The Latin-American Heritage Art Contest invites students of Latin origin or descent to showcase their talents! Submit your artwork by October 29, 2025, 11:59 PM (end of reading week) for a chance to be featured in our Latin American Heritage Expo and win prizes of up to $500.

This year, our focus is on the theme:

 

 

“Through my Latin Blood”

We invite you to reflect on how your Latin American identity and heritage shape your life. How does it influence your experiences, relationships, and how does it translate into your art?

The stories of the Latin American diasporas are woven together through language, food, memories, and art. Beyond our vibrant textiles, ceramics, paintings, and murals, what truly connects us are the experiences we share. The joys, the battles, the migrations, and the resilience passed down through generations. These stories live within us and shape how we see the world, how we create, and how we heal.

This is an invitation to reflect on how your own heritage, challenges, and triumphs have shaped your identity, and to bring those reflections to life through art. This contest welcomes submissions that reflect the intersectionalities of Latin heritage, including but not limited to:

  • Afro-Latino experiences

  • Indigenous-Latino perspectives (from any Pueblo Indígena, community, nation, or country within Latin America)

  • Mestizo identities

  • Asian-Latino or other multiethnic experiences

  • Reflections that intersect Latin culture and heritage with religion, queerness, machismo, immigration, language, socio-economic status, and beyond.

2025 CONTEST GUIDELINES

This contest is open to all Sheridan students who identify as Latin or of Latin descent. Each student may submit only one piece, regardless of category.

Categories

  • The 2D Visual Arts category includes individual works or collections in the following forms:

    • Paintings – Created with any painting medium (e.g., acrylic, oil, watercolour, gouache) on canvas or framed paper.

    • Illustrations – Physical or digital

    • Photography – Analogue or digital

    • Collages or Mixed Media — Flat or nearly flat works.

    Submission Requirements

    Digital Works (Illustration or Photography):

    • Minimum resolution: 2,000 pixels on the longest side at 300 dpi.

    • Maximum file size: 15 MB.

    • Accepted formats: JPG, PNG, or PDF.

    • Selected works will be printed by the SSU for exhibition at the Gallery Expo.

    Physical Works (Painting, Collage, Mixed Media, or Hand-Drawn Illustration):

    • Maximum size: 24 in × 36 in (61 cm × 91 cm), including frame if applicable.

    • Works must be ready for hanging (mounted, framed, or on stretched canvas).

    • If framing is required, students are responsible for ensuring the piece is exhibition-ready.

    Collections or Series:

    • Participants may submit series or collections of up to 5 pieces.

    • All pieces should be part of the same collection and share a common theme or concept.

  • The 3D Visual Arts category includes individual works or collections of:

    • Sculptures

    • Ceramics

    • Textiles

    • 3D Mixed Media

    • Small Installation Pieces

    Submission Requirements

    Size & Space Limits:

    • Individual works must fit within a display space of 3 ft (W) × 3 ft (D) × 6 ft (H).

    • Collections or series of works must fit collectively within 4 ft (W) × 4 ft (D) × 6 ft (H).

    Presentation Requirements:

    • Works must be stable and safe to display in a public setting.

    • Artists are responsible for providing any required supports (e.g., pedestals, mounts, or display stands).

    • Fragile works must be clearly labelled, and artists are encouraged to visit the setup to confirm proper display.

    Collections or Series:

    • Participants may submit series or collections of up to 5 pieces

    • All pieces should be part of the same collection and share a common theme or concept.

  • The Video Art category includes:

    • Live-Action Reflective Short Films – 1 to 3 minutes.

    • Animated Reflective Short Films – 15 to 45 seconds.

    • Stop-Motion Reflective Short Films – 15 to 45 seconds.

    • Mixed Media Videos – Up to 3 minutes.

    Notes & Requirements:

    • Time limits apply to the body of the work and do not include credits. Please submit two versions: one without credits (within the time limit) and one with credits.

    • Collaboration is permitted. Be sure to credit all contributors.

    • These categories are non-restrictive, creativity and cross-disciplinary approaches are encouraged.

    • At the Expo: Video submissions will loop on screens at reduced volume. Additionally, selected works will be presented on larger screens at scheduled times, allowing artists to share insights about their creative process.

  • The Creative Writing category includes:

    • Poetry or Slam Poetry

    • Short Non-Fiction Stories

    • Short Fiction Stories

    • Song Lyrics

    Length & Performance Limits:

    • Poetry / Slam Poetry — Maximum of 2 pages (approx. 500 words); live performance up to 3 minutes.

    • Short Fiction / Non-Fiction — Maximum of 1,500 words (approx. 5 double-spaced pages); live reading up to 5 minutes.

    • Song Lyrics — Maximum of 2 pages (approx. 300–500 words); live performance up to 4 minutes.

    Presentation Requirements:

    • Creative writing entries will be read, performed, or interpreted live on stage during the Expo at scheduled times based on participant availability.

    • Participants may designate another person to interpret or perform their work on their behalf.

    • Collaborative performances (e.g., music accompaniment for song lyrics, or a partner for slam poetry) are permitted.

General Guidelines

    • To participate in this contest, you must be of Latin-American origin or descent.

    • Each participant may submit only one entry, regardless of category. This ensures everyone has a fair chance to participate.

    • All entries must include: your student email, student ID number, artwork title, and a short description of the artwork. This information helps us track submissions and conduct the initial jury review before the Expo.

    • By entering the contest, you are also applying for a spot in the Expo (unless you choose to opt out). Applying does not guarantee a spot; we will do our best to include as many works as possible, but the number of submissions and quality of pieces are factors we must account for.

    • Please familiarize yourself with the regulations for your chosen category before submitting.

    • Participants may opt out of the Expo while remaining in the contest. This means your artwork will not be displayed publicly. To do so, select the “Opt out of Expo” box in the submission form.

    • Creative Writing entries that opt out of the Expo are not eligible for first place, but can still win second or third place.

    • Exhibitors are responsible for ensuring their artwork is displayed as intended by providing accurate dimensions in the submission form and reviewing their display in person before the public exhibit.

  • AI submissions are strictly prohibited. No exceptions.
    Sheridan is internationally recognized for the quality of its artistic education. We value integrity, originality, dedication, and passion. Allowing generative AI submissions undermines the effort of students who dedicate themselves to their craft and creates an unfair environment.

    If a submission is flagged as AI-generated, it will be immediately removed from the contest, and the participant will not be allowed to submit a replacement entry.

SUBMIT YOUR ART

CONTEST STATEMENT

The Latin-American Heritage Art Contest is a space to honour identity, celebrate diversity, and amplify the diversity of voices here at Sheridan – Latin American, Latin, Latino/a/e/x are all cultural and political terms that speak to a shared identity. They encompass people from countries in the Americas that speak predominantly Romance languages. This includes South America, Central America, Mexico, and the Caribbean. This identity also extends to the descendants of these populations, regardless of birthplace.

Through this initiative, we aim to:

  • Recognize the creativity and resilience of Sheridan students who carry a Latin heritage.

  • Provide opportunities for professional exposure, networking, and recognition of talent.

  • Celebrate the stories, struggles, and joys that comprise the rich tapestry of Latin American culture.

By participating, you are contributing to a living archive of Latin-American expression on campus!

SUBMIT YOUR ARTWORK
 

 

MEET THE JURY

Dani Elizondo

Dani Elizondo is a Mexican artist, stop-motion fabricator, and illustrator based in Toronto. A graduate of Sheridan College’s Animation program, Dani’s work celebrates texture, colour, and the complexities of everyday life through handcrafted storytelling.

She has collaborated with studios such as Stop Motion Department, Gazelle Automations, Stoopid Buddy Stoodios, and House of Cool, gaining a reputation for creativity and adaptability. Beyond her professional work, Dani is passionate about teaching and has instructed at the Animation Portfolio Workshop, inspiring young artists to find their own voice.

@thedanidoodles
www.thedanidoodles.mx

Melina Cossío

Melina Cossío is a Mexican-born visual artist based in Canada, originally from Tapachula, Chiapas. Her work bridges the beauty of nature and the energy of cityscapes, drawing on years of study and collaboration in Chile, Finland, and Canada. Trained in oil painting, stained glass, and carbon drawing, she has contributed to large-scale projects such as a mosaic installation with Finnish artist Tuula Lehtinen and an environmental art project with Matti Kuronen. Since 2014, Melina has been an active member of the Canadian art scene, exhibiting with Visual Arts Mississauga, the Artists’ Network in Toronto, and the Mississauga Arts Council, while supporting local communities as a juror and workshop facilitator.

@melinacossio_artist
www.melinacossio.com

Martha Bátiz

Award-winning Mexican author, translator, and educator based in Toronto.

Her literary work spans over thirty international anthologies and multiple award-winning publications. She is the author of Plaza Requiem, No Stars in the Sky, and the acclaimed novella Boca de lobo (Damiana’s Reprieve), soon to be followed by her upcoming novel A Daughter’s Place (House of Anansi Press, 2025). Martha holds a PhD in Latin American Literature, teaches at York University, and founded the Creative Writing in Spanish program at the University of Toronto.

@martha.batiz
www.marthabatiz.com

Marton Robinson

Marton Robinson is a Costa Rican interdisciplinary artist whose work challenges conventional representations of Black identity within art history and mainstream culture. With a background in Physical Education and Visual Arts and an MFA from the University of Southern California, Robinson’s practice examines racism, colonial legacies, and the nuances of the Afro-Latino experience through irony and critical reflection. His work has been exhibited internationally at institutions such as The Getty Center (U.S.), Museo de Arte y Diseño Contemporáneo (Costa Rica), Le Palais de Tokyo (France), and Museo Amparo (Mexico), contributing powerfully to contemporary dialogues on the African diaspora.

@marton_robinson
www.martonrobinson.com

soJin Chun

soJin Chun is a Toronto-based curator, artist, and arts facilitator whose practice explores the in-between spaces of culture, identity, and resistance. Drawing from her experiences within the Korean diaspora in Bolivia and Canada, she uses community-centred art to decolonize image-making and highlight underrepresented narratives. soJin has collaborated extensively with BIPOC and LGBTQ2S+ communities across the Americas and has exhibited internationally, including at the Oberhausen International Film Festival. She holds a BA in Applied Arts and a Master’s in Communications and Culture from Toronto Metropolitan (formerly Ryerson) and York University.

www.sojincita.com

 

 

Questions or comments?

This initiative was proposed and brought to our community by Mateo, SSU Student Executive of Equity, Diversity & Inclusion. Please do not hesitate to contact him if you have any questions or concerns about this event.

taveragm@sheridancollege.ca