Live music performing during Latination 12 on Sept. 5, 2025, in downtown Bakersfield. (Crystal Navarro/Kern Sol News)
A long-running Bakersfield arts festival made its return to Downtown Bakersfield, to celebrate Latino culture, music and art.
The Arts Council of Kern hosted Latination 12 on Sept. 5–6 in the East Chester Arts and Culture District. The two-day festival featured visual art, live music, food vendors and cultural performances showcasing the diversity of Latino communities in Kern County.
The event was originally founded in 2008 by Don Martin of Metro Galleries. This year marked the twelfth installment, and the first time the festival was held since its hiatus.
Festivities began Sept. 5 with the opening of the Latination 12 art exhibition, with local band Mento Buru performing and a block party with food and entertainment.
On Sept. 6, the festival continued with family-focused programming, including activities for children and community performances.
“This festival is about more than art it’s about honoring the soul of our community,” said Jeanette Richardson, executive director of the Arts Council of Kern on their website.
A visitor views artwork at the Latination 12 exhibition on Sept. 5, 2025, in downtown Bakersfield. (Crystal Navarro/Kern Sol News)
Kern County advocate and business owner Audrey Chavez said she was grateful to see the festival back downtown. “Latination is one of my favorite events to be part of, so I’m thankful to see it here today,” Chavez said. “The art is colorful and vibrant, and it reflects the essence of our culture. It’s a reminder of how much Latinos contribute to our community and to our country.”
For some, this year marked their first time participating as artists. Victoria Olmos, who teaches art through the Kern Migrant Education Program, said being featured in the exhibition was “overwhelming” and an honor. “I’ve come to this event for years and seen phenomenal work, so to be part of it is incredible,” she said. “My paintings are inspired by current events and by my own family’s ties to farm labor. It’s a way to show how much our community enriches this country, even when treatment of people can be inhumane.”
Artist Victoria Olmos stands with her painting during Latination 12 on Sept. 5, 2025, in downtown Bakersfield. Olmos, who also teaches art with the Kern Migrant Education Program, said her work is inspired by her family’s experiences and current events. (Haley Duval/Kern Sol News)
Others attended as community members and supporters.
Faith Lopez said she appreciated the range of artistic expression on display. “There’s a lot of different styles and formats here,” Lopez said. “It’s inspiring to see our community make art about our people, our culture and our experiences.”
For Vicky Garrido, who works nearby and volunteers with the Rapid Response Network, this was her first year at the festival. “It’s very nice to see this for the community,” Garrido said. “Representation is important here in the county, and I think it’s significant that it came in September, a month of cultural celebrations.”
To learn more about Latination 12 and the Arts Council of Kern, visit kernarts.org.
Photo Gallery: Photos from Latination 12 on Sept. 5, in downtown Bakersfield. The two-day festival featured art exhibitions, live music, food vendors and cultural performances celebrating Latino heritage. (Crystal Navarro/Kern Sol News)
Photo Gallery: Community members attend the Latination 12 festival on Sept. 5, 2025, in downtown Bakersfield. (Haley Duval/Kern Sol News)
