Leticia Talks Latin American Art
- Rossana Novella
- Jul 15
- 6 min read
Updated: Jul 17
Tell us a little bit about yourself and where you are from?
I was born and raised in Monterrey, Mexico. I came to the UK in 2006 to study at the University of Oxford, where I met my husband. We were both studying the same
course. I then decided to stay and re-qualified as a lawyer in the UK. I worked as a corporate lawyer in Mexico, and in Manchester and London here in the UK.
After a break in my career, I decided to change course and I now dedicate my time to supporting and championing artists from my home country and Latin America more
widely, raising the profile of Latin art in the UK.
What made you decide to set up your art project?
I have been interested in the art world since I was a small child. I wanted to study art, and always hoped to run my own gallery some day.
I have two daughters, and did not want to return to full time employment after they were born because I wanted to be with them. They are now a little bit older and in school all day, so I thought this was the time to give life to the idea I have had for so many years! This is how Alegría Latin Art started.
Finding the time to do it hasn’t always been easy though! I have had to come to
terms with the fact that it will all happen at a slower pace than I would like but I also don’t want to miss being with my girls and family.
Have you found it challenging being a woman at times doing your work?
I was very lucky to have made a lot of great friends in the art world from the start.
Having come from the very different world of law the guidance of these wonderful
people has been invaluable. I would mention in particular: Yamam Nabeel,
photographer and founder of Art Forward; Andrew Etherington, he was director at
Bermondsey Project Space (the first ever venue we used for our exhibitions!) and
now forms part of the amazing team at Art Forward; Javier Calderon, director of
Somers Gallery, the Mexican art wouldn’t have been in the UK without him; Tina
Ziegler, director at Moniker Art and part of the team at Arts Unknown,
who made me believe I could do it; Fernando Champion, head of cultural affairs at the Mexican Embassy in the UK, who has supported our project from the start; together with Josefa Gonzalez Blanco the Mexican ambassador to UK, Peter Hall, Head of Exhibitions at the Lightbox Gallery; Museum in Woking; and Adriana Cavita, owner and chef at Cavita Resaurant, who agreed to host an exhibition in her restaurant!
So far I have worked only with female artists. There are some great organizations
supporting women in the arts today.
What kind of art do you specialise in?
Alegría Latin Art started as an idea for sharing the drama, colour and passion of
Latin America with an international audience. I am from Mexico so I decided to start supporting Mexican artists and then expand to other Latin American countries.
Art brings communities together, sharing art internationally brings people closer and improves everyones wellbeing. Through sharing, both artist and viewers are enriched. The viewer has the opportunity to learn about and experience the
paradoxically flamboyant, fatalistic yet carefree nature of; la vida Latina;, whilst the artist is championed and experiences the joy of having their work appreciated on an international scale.
A current project/ Exhibition you are working on?
At the moment we have an exciting Solo Exhibition by Mexican artist Paula R
Rodriguez, at Cavita Restaurant in London.
Paula is originally from Mexico City and now lives in the UK. She aims to capture the beauty and magic of Mexico and Latin America while exploring issues of identity.
She uses shape, colour, and form to evoke the magic realism of her cultural
background and the richness of its native traditions.
We are so excited that this exhibition is supported by the Mexican Embassy in the
United Kingdom and Cavita Restaurant.
You can find all the details in our website at https://www.alegrialatinart.co.uk/
What inspires you?
My love for Mexico. I want to show people how great it is: culture, traditions, food, music, people. It makes me feel alive whenever I go back there.
Three words to describe your style.
Friendly
Straightforward
Dedicated
So, tell us about your relocation to NY?
Yes! We will be moving to New York this summer. It has been a very busy year trying to run Alegría Latin Art whilst sorting our move. I’ve had to plan events whilst looking for schools in NY remotely and going through all the application process online. I have also been sorting our house here – packing, etc and finding a house in NY. I would have loved to have more time to network and support a wider range of artists, but it was hard to find the time to do everything.
We also want to see our friends before we go and keep doing things here in the UK, enjoying the British summer – Wimbledon, Ascot, going to the beach. I do love the UK in the summer!
What are you looking forward to workwise in NY?
This is a hard question. I am going there with an open mind. I will wait to see how we are all settling there – with the house, my husband’s work, school, etc and if the opportunity arises, I would love to do something there. Even if it is just one event whilst I’m there.
I am also looking forward to seeing more closely what the art scene is like in NY. I love all the museums and galleries there. So I am really looking forward to exploring and finding new artists.
I think it is a great opportunity, and we are all ready to make the most of this adventure!
What would your dream/exhibition project be in five years’ time?
I would like to run an art fair in the UK showcasing Latin Art. I know it has been done before, and it would be nice to bring it back. It would be great to have a space where artists and galleries from Latin America can showcase the amazing work being done by contemporary artists.
Which Mexican/ Latin American artists do you admire?
Latin American art is vast and there are many artists I like and admire. There are
many contemporary artists doing wonderful work now. There was a generation of
artists that opened a path for Latin Art to be recognized globally like María Izquierdo, David Alfaro Siqueiros, José Clemente Orozco, Diego Rivera, Jose Maria Velasco, Fernando Botero and of course Frida Khalo who has been a major ambassador for Mexican art around the world and for women artists everywhere.
There is an exhibition currently at the National Gallery of works by artist Jose Maria Velasco. It is a beautiful collection of artwork showing Mexican landscapes in the late 1800s to the early 1900s.
One thing you could't live without in your workplace?
My husband! He has supported me and encouraged me to just do it.
An exhibition you saw and will never forget
The murals at Palacio de Bellas Artes in Mexico City. I went there as a child and was captivated by the enormous murals covering the walls of this magnificent place. It has murals of the ‘Three Greats’, as they were called – Jose Clemente Orozco, David Alfaro Siqueiros and Diego Rivera.
If in Mexico, which art related places would you recommend?
The Palacio de Bellas Artes in Mexico City. The Museo de Arte Contemporaneo
(MARCO) in Monterrey, Mexico. The Museo Soumaya in Mexico City. The art scene
in Mexico has grown rapidly in the last few years so there are also many galleries
you can visit in any city you are in Mexico.
There is also a big art fair called Zona Maco in Mexico City that takes place during the Mexico City Art Week which in 2026 will take place from 4 – 8 February.
What do you miss most from Mexico?
I miss my family and friends so much. I miss the careless vibe in Mexico- even in the toughest of times Mexicans find a way to smile and keep going. And of course the food. There is a reason UNESCO recognised traditional Mexican cuisine as an
Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity!
Words to live by- Your favourite quote /words of wisdom
Take the opportunities, even if they scare you. Once they are gone, they are gone!
How do you relax when it’s been a busy week?
I like to watch movies with my girls and husband, and chat with my husband over a
glass of wine.
Your indulgence treat?
Reading a book. This is one of the things I love doing, but I find it hard to make time these days.
Dream Holiday location?
It will have to be Mexico! There are so many beautiful places to see not just the
usual tourist spot, Cancun. You have the mountains, the jungle, the beaches. Places like Oaxaca, Guanajuato, San Miguel de Allende – all beautiful cities full of traditions
and great food!
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