Arte Público Press Celebrates a Legacy of Latino Literature

Nicolás Kanellos, Ph.D. can lay claim to countless awards and presidential appointments during his 45 years as founder and executive director of Arte Público Press, the nation’s oldest US Latino book publisher, housed at the UH College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences. 

But one stands out.

"The most important award to me personally [is] when I go to a school and I see kids with our children's books, loving them," Kanellos told John Quiñones, the special guest moderator of the fireside chat that served as the centerpiece of Arte Público’s Celebrate a Legacy of Latino Literature luncheon on Oct. 7, 2026. 

The luncheon honored Kanellos' work as APP's founder and as the Brown Foundation Professor of Hispanic Studies as he enters retirement. 

Inside the Hilton University of Houston’s Waldorf Astoria Ballroom, Kanellos was the man of the hour, but in front of colleagues, political dignitaries, and authors who saw their works published at Arte Público, the focus was the impact his groundbreaking book publisher made on showcasing US Hispanic literary voices who would have otherwise gone unheard. 
 
The 25-minute chat focused on Kanellos' legacy and APP's importance to literature. Quiñones, the ABC News correspondent and host of the network’s “What Would You Do?” program, steered a discussion of that legacy, as well as Kanellos' thoughts on censorship and artificial intelligence. Quiñones also asked about the future of Arte Público Press.  

“The team at Arte Público understood that we can make things happen. We can create our own space, and you can share it with the world,” Kanellos said. “We’re not just publishing for Latinos. We’re publishing for the United States and the world.” 

“There’s no way you can retire,” Quiñones remarked. 

“I can because we have this great team,” Kanellos said, singling out his successor, Arte Público Press’ current director Dr. Gabriela Baeza Ventura. 

The event culminated with a proclamation from State Sen. Carol Alvorado, State Rep. Armando Walle, and U.S. Rep. Sylvia Garica; a post-event book signing with Arte Público authors; and a performance by a 15-piece mariachi band from Morton Ranch High School in Katy ISD.