Americanos is a Smithsonian traveling exhibition that presents an intimate portrait of the Latino community through the work of 30 prize-winning photographers. The 114 photographs in the exhibition are organized around themes such as family, community, work and sports, and reflect the breadth and variety of the Latino experience.

In the fall of 2000, Executive Director Emily Zimmern and Historian Tom Hanchett met with a group of dynamic, accomplished Latina women. Coming from different countries and having been in Charlotte for varying lengths of time, these women provided a window into Charlotte’s rapidly growing Latino population. One comment in particular struck a chord, “For Latinos, settling in the South has been easier than in other parts of the country. We share so many values with southerners – emphasis on family, faith, and food. We feel at home here.” Exploration of that comment began an exciting journey for the Museum in learning about Charlotte’s newest neighbors and their impact on the New South, and in building a more inclusive community. The exhibition Americanos is the latest in that journey, and an invitation to a broader audience to join in.

Each of the six sections of Americanos – work, family, spiritual life, community, sports, and culture and arts – is introduced by personal statements written by prominent Latino writers and citizens, while the photographs address such issues as national origin, education, religion, economic status and language in the Latino community.

Working with a community advisory board of over 30 local Latinos, the Museum created a corresponding exhibit on regional Latino culture. Visitors viewed Latino Charlotteans’ artifacts and listened to oral histories of personal stories and reactions to the photos in Americanos. Building on the contacts and interviews generated by Americanos, the Museum has plans for a major in-house exhibit on Hispanic Latinos in the South, scheduled to open in 2006. Research, programs and outreach to the local Latino community will be ongoing, continuing after the close of Americanos in January 2003.