The Smithsonian Institution is trying something new. At several museums, staff members and acquisitions are coming on board to help highlight the contributions of Latinos. WAMU’s Lauren Landau visited the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C. to see what’s behind this effort.

Below, check out some of the works by the Latino artists featured in this piece David Antonio Cruz, Michael Vasquez and Rachelle Mozman.

PISCINA (Cover photo above)

by Rachelle Mozman

2011

C-Print

Sheet: 58.4 × 66 cm (23 × 26″)

Frame: 61 × 68.6 cm (24 × 27″)

Courtesy of the artist

FORAPIECEOFAPPLE

by David Antonio Cruz

2013

Enamel, oil, gold leaf, fabric, a broken plate, paper planes from copied Ellis Island documents on

canvas

Stretcher: 213.4 × 213.4 × 5.1 cm (84 × 84 × 2″)

Courtesy of the artist

IWISHRAINYDAYSCAMEWITHASLICEOFMANGO

by David Antonio Cruz

2012

Oil, enamel, gold leaf, plastic fruits, mother’s plate, paper planes from copied documents of

Puerto Ricans that came through Ellis Island on birch panel

Panel: 152.4 × 152.4 cm (60 × 60″)

Courtesy of the artist

THE NEIGHBORHOOD TOUR

by Michael Vasquez

2007

Oil on canvas

Stretcher (approximately): 243.8 × 182.9 cm (96 × 72″)

Collection of Evan and Stephanie Reed

THIS IS OURS—AJ

by Michael Vasquez

2011

Acrylic on canvas

Stretcher: 243.8 × 182.9 cm (96 × 72″)

Blair and Arthur Rice