Arte Américas

What began over 26 years ago as an art crawl between artists’ studios in Downtown Fresno is now ArtHop: the most active and anticipated monthly public arts experience in the Fresno Metro area. ArtHop in Dowtown Fresno takes place during the 1st Thursday of the month from 5:00 PM–8:00 PM PST and features FREE entry to exhibitions, gallery shows, special performances, and unique art experiences for art lovers of all ages. 

Arte Américas’ galleries are always open for free on the first Thursday of each month from 5pm to 8 pm offering a welcoming Art Hop experience for all ages. Our ARTSY KIDS ZONE during ARTHOP has enabled kids to enjoy art-making activities led by early childhood educators and artists in a family-friendly environment. 

For a full list of ART HOP venues go to Fresno Arts Council’s website here.

Nights in the Plaza or “Sunset Concerts” initiated in 1999 as indoor concert series and continued and expanded outside—first in the parking lot and, in 2001 in the new acquired Plaza Paz. Since 2001—with a break from 2018 to 2023 due to the Pandemic- Arte Américas designed a popular concert season with an attendance of more than 80,00 people and more than 200 concerts in total featuring a variety of genres showcasing the rich tapestry of Latinx music such as Jazz, Latin sounds, marimba, trio, mariachi, etc. Starting in 2024, and thanks to Measure P. funds, Arte Américas Nights in the Plaza are back with seasonal community programming that include not only live concerts but also performing arts and film. 

Every Thursday “after hours” from 6-8 PM Arte Américas presents ARTE, pero later, a vibrant and diverse program designed for all generations just to drop in. There is no registration nor previous experience required to enjoy an array of activities, from an engaging “charla literaria” and open mic sessions, to lively lotería games and interesting book clubs. You can also enjoy captivating live music in the heart of Arte Américas. See you on Thursdays at Arte, pero later!

First established in 2020 during the peak of the pandemic by Maestra Josie Bustos, the Bilingual Storytime and Art Making Workshop (Lectura Bilingüe y Actividad de Arte) began as an opportunity for families to come together online and enjoy bilingual readings and artmaking in English and Spanish. This initiative was a way for Arte to keep the children of our community connected to their culture. Our community embraced this program, and thanks to generous donations from Edward M. Kashian, and most recently from River Park Properties, Bilingual Storytime continued as an in-person program.  

To this day, Bilingual Storytime and Art Making Workshop remains one of our most beloved family programs. It takes place every 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month where local bilingual educators and artists read a bilingual book and lead a guided art activity for children and their families. The featured books celebrate diversity and cross-cultural awareness, while the related art projects promote creativity and a deeper understanding of the text. 

This program is tailored to children aged four to eight, but every member of the family is welcomed to encouraging bilingualism, multiculturalism, hands-on art making, and family involvement. Additionally, this program offers families the opportunity to take a bilingual book home, provided free of charge to the first 10 families to arrive. 

Arte Workshops is an invitation to create art at Arte Américas and it is designed to be accessible, highlighting different art materials and different modes of art-making that range from fine art practice to craft. This workshop is held the second and fourth Sunday of every month from 2pm-4pm. We collaborate with local artists to highlight their artistic practice. From life drawing to bookbinding, all ages are welcomed to experience art making without any pre-required art background.