10/07/2026
October is Latin American Heritage Month, and we’re celebrating through the creativity of young artist Beatriz Valente! 🌟
17 year old Beatriz created "Guardian" to celebrate Latin American Heritage Month for our Our Stories exhibition, drawing on symbols including the jaguar, water, stars and marigolds to explore identity, connection and the beauty of what makes us different.
“I chose to paint a jaguar because they are considered to be spirit guides in some Indigenous belief systems of the South Americas… Overall, this painting is meant to represent the significance of people’s differences, while still reminding us that we are all equals forevermore.”
Our Stories was created with the belief that young artists deserve to have their work taken seriously, and that youth should have the opportunity to tell their own stories in their own voices. Artists ages 12–18 are compensated for their work, with reproductions of their original artwork exhibited at the London Children’s Museum. Through the exhibition, featured artists share their cultures, celebrations, observances and lived experiences from their own perspectives, while we provide the space and platform to help amplify what they choose to share.
Thank you, Beatriz, for sharing your creativity, talent and story with us! 💙
Visit the London Children’s Museum throughout October to see Guardian in person, and visit the link in our bio to learn more about Our Stories and how young artists can get involved:
https://www.londonchildrensmuseum.ca/our-stories