Art projects can be a transformative force for Latine youth, offering a vibrant avenue for self-expression and cultural pride. In spring 2025, a group of LACIS-affiliated faculty and graduate students at the University of Wisconsin-Madison launched the Latine Comics Collective, bringing creative workshops to middle and high school students in Madison. These monthly sessions, conducted in Spanish, provided a lively space where students honed their drawing and storytelling skills while exploring what it means to be Latine in Wisconsin.
With students from diverse backgrounds—including Mexico, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Honduras, Brazil, and beyond—the program gifted each participant with their own set of drawing supplies, encouraging ongoing expression at home. Through lessons on comic structure and narrative, students built confidence in storytelling and reflected on their personal and cultural histories, from family memories to the challenges of leaving their homelands. 
Supported by a Reilly-Baldwin Wisconsin Idea Endowment Seed Grant, the Latine Comics Collective is continuing with its work in these schools this fall. The collective is also looking to expand its reach. If you’re interested in helping bring these inspiring workshops to more youth, contact LACIS faculty director Sara McKinnon at smckinnon@wisc.edu to learn how you can host a workshop in your community.