Museum of Latin American Art Announces 2025 Gala & Auction: Legacy in Motion and LEGADO Award honorees

LEGADO Award recipients: Ella Fontanals-Cisneros for Philanthropy in the Arts and State Senator Lena González for Leadership

LONG BEACH, CA, UNITED STATES, October 10, 2025 /EINPresswire.com/ -- The Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA) is proud to announce its highly anticipated 2025 Gala & Auction: Legacy in Motion, taking place on Saturday, October 18, 2025. This year’s Gala will mark MOLAA’s 29th anniversary and honor extraordinary leaders whose vision and dedication continue to shape the future of the arts and the Latinx community.

At the heart of the evening will be the presentation of the LEGADO Awards, MOLAA’s highest recognition, honoring individuals whose impact resonates across culture, philanthropy, and public service. The 2025 honorees include:
• Ella Fontanals-Cisneros, Cuban-Venezuelan art collector and founder of the Cisneros-Fontanals Foundation (CIFO), who will receive the LEGADO Award in Philanthropy in the Arts for her groundbreaking efforts to elevate women artists and advance Latin American art on the world stage.
• California State Senator Lena González, a dedicated public servant and champion of the Latinx community, recognized for her leadership and commitment to equity, opportunity, and representation.

In addition, MOLAA will pay a special tribute to Carmen O. Pérez, a beloved community leader and passionate supporter of the arts and education. The Gala will launch the Carmen O. Perez Access to the Arts Fund, an initiative designed to expand opportunities for young people and ensure access to transformative cultural experiences for future generations.

The Gala will also coincide with the opening of MOLAA’s blockbuster exhibition in collaboration with the CIFO Foundation, Tierra cifrada / Coded Earth, showcasing never-before-seen works by nine CIFO Award-winning artists from Guatemala, Mexico, Chile, Brazil, Colombia, and the Dominican Republic. This exhibition represents an exciting chapter in MOLAA’s mission to present bold, innovative, and globally relevant perspectives in Latin American and Latinx art.

“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,” said Lourdes I. Ramos, PhD, President & CEO of MOLAA. “It is an honor to recognize Ella Fontanals-Cisneros and Senator Lena González, and to pay tribute to the life and legacy of Carmen O. Perez. Their vision, leadership, and unwavering dedication embody the values of our institution and the spirit of the communities we serve.”

The 2025 Gala & Auction will be an unforgettable evening of celebration, community, and cultural excellence, with proceeds supporting MOLAA’s exhibitions, educational programs, and community initiatives. Limited tickets are available – for more information, please reach out to gala@molaa.org

We acknowledge the support of the following organizations and individuals towards this event:

2025 MOLAA GALA & AUCTION SPONSORS
Special thanks to the many individuals, businesses, and artists who contributed to the evening’s success!

*Visionary Sponsor
Robert Gumbiner Foundation
TGIS Catering

*Champion Sponsors
Robert N. Braun, M.D. & Joan A. Friedman, Ph.D.
Clarck Construction Group - CA, LP

*Builder Sponsor
California Resources Corporation
California State University Foundation
Gardiner & Theobald, Inc.
Marianne & Ron Gastelum
TELACU Industries, Inc.
The Port of Long Beach
Vice Mayor Roberto Uranga, City of Long Beach
Barbara & Zach Horowitz

*Benefactor Sponsor
DMK Skincare

*Patron Sponsor
Long Beach City College
Studio MLA and Somos Group
The Queen Mary
Visit Long Beach
Verizon
Water Replenishment District

*Ambassador Sponsors
America Plus Bank
Bank of America
Hyundai Motor America
Mayer Brown, LLP
St. Mary Medical Center Foundation

* In-Kind Supporters
Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo - CIFO Award Artists’ Table
Buro Happold - Fresh Flowers
Vicente Ortiz - Tequila

*DONORS
A-Mark Foundation- Justin Jampol, Founder and Executive Director of the Wende Museum
AltaMed
Aquarium of the Pacific
Carnival Cruises
Gay & Tim Degani
Caryl & Mike Deovlet
F&M Bank
Long Beach Chamber of Commerce
Lisa Milton
Cynthia Miscikowski
Musical Theater West
Lourdes Ramos, Ph.D.
Rendija Fija, LLC
Mary Alice Sedillo
Southwest Airlines

*2025 MOLAA Gala VIP Week
Judy Baca and SPARC
The Getty Center
Lucas Museum of Narrative Art
Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)

About MOLAA
Founded in 1996 in Long Beach, California, the Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA) is the pioneering museum in the United States dedicated to modern and contemporary Latin American and Latinx art. Through groundbreaking exhibitions, robust educational programming, and community partnerships, MOLAA advances cross-cultural dialogue and fosters appreciation for the rich artistic heritage of Latin America and beyond.

Solimar Salas
Museum of Latin American Art
+1 562-216-4147
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