Chicago’s neighborhoods are living canvases, alive with color, culture, and stories. Across the city, Latinx artists are transforming walls, classrooms, and stages into spaces of connection—honoring their heritage while encouraging young people to find their own voices. Through muralism, mixed media, music, and dance, these artists don’t just make art—they build community, nurture identity, and light the path for the next generation of creators.
As we close out Hispanic Heritage Month, we would love to take a moment to celebrate some of our amazing instructors who share their Latinx culture through their artwork, inspiring our young artists.
Reynaldo “Guaracibo” Rodríguez
Reynaldo “Guaracibo” Rodríguez is a celebrated Chicago artist whose vibrant work and powerful storytelling have made him a cornerstone of the city’s Puerto Rican arts community. A self-taught muralist, painter, and sculptor originally from Puerto Rico, Reynaldo is best known for transforming everyday materials like recycled cardboard into layered narratives of migration, identity, and resilience. His exhibitions, including La Mudanza: Seeds from Our Past and Expresión de Barrio, have illuminated the beauty of Afro-Caribbean and Taíno heritage, connecting personal history to collective cultural memory. Beyond his artistic achievements, Reynaldo is deeply committed to nurturing the next generation of creators—serving as a mixed media arts instructor and mentor with ASM at the Puerto Rican Arts Alliance, where he inspires Chicago teens to embrace their creativity, honor their roots, and use art as a tool for self-expression and community pride. His influence extends far beyond the gallery walls, leaving an indelible mark on the young artists who will shape the city’s cultural future.
Photo Credit: Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times
Susana A. Bañuelos
Susana A. Bañuelos, also known by her ceremonial name Ollin Kuikatl Tekpatl, is a Chicago-based Aztec/Mexican dancer, cultural educator, and community healer with more than 30 years of experience. Through her Aztec Dance Chicago program and as an instructor with ASM, she shares Indigenous traditions, song, and movement with young people across the city. Susana uses ceremony and storytelling as tools for healing and empowerment, moving teens to connect with their heritage, embrace their voices, and build community through culture.
Jeff Abbey Maldonado, Sr.
Artist and community leader Jeff Abbey Maldonado, Sr., founded the J-DEF Peace Project in Pilsen to honor the life and legacy of his son, Jeff “J-DEF” Maldonado, Jr., a young hip-hop artist whose life was tragically cut short in 2009. Through public murals, youth workshops, and community art projects, the J-DEF Peace Project empowers ASM teens to express themselves, heal through creativity, and promote peace across Chicago. Maldonado’s vibrant works reflect the culture and soul of Pilsen and the broader Latinx community—celebrating heritage, resilience, and unity. What began as a tribute to one life has evolved into a powerful movement, transforming grief into hope and city walls into bold messages of peace and belonging.
Erick “Roho” Garcia
Chicago muralist and longtime After School Matters instructor Erick “Roho” Garcia has been educating young artists for more than a decade—using murals to empower teens to find their voices and paint their stories. Rooted in Hip Hop culture, his Latin roots, and graffiti art, Roho has led ASM teens in creating more than ten large-scale murals across the city in partnership with organizations like Lollapalooza, Hire360, and NASCAR—including his recent mural with 13 teens at Gately Park that celebrates the building as a safe, supportive space where teens can learn, grow, and fully be themselves. Now proudly displayed above the staircase in the Center Space for teens, his vibrant works reflect the energy and creativity of Chicago’s youth. For many teens, Roho’s programs are their first experience with a paintbrush—and by the end, they’ve gained not only new artistic skills but also confidence and pride that extend far beyond the canvas.
Learn more about ASM Instructor Roho Garcia in this conversational interview.
Together, these artists are more than creators—they are culture bearers, mentors, and change-makers. Their work reflects the soul of Chicago’s communities, transforming neighborhoods into living galleries that honor history and imagine new futures. By investing their time, talent, and heart into teaching and inspiring young people, they ensure that the city’s artistic legacy continues to grow—one teen, one brushstroke, one dance step at a time.