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Applause is a weekly show highlighting Northeast Ohio’s vibrant arts and culture scene. From interviews with artists to special musical performances, the show spotlights creative people in our community and beyond. Watch new episodes here or on WVIZ Ideastream Public Media Fridays at 8:30 p.m. Social: Facebook | Twitter

Héctor Castellanos Lara lifts up Latino culture in Northeast Ohio

 Héctor Castellanos Lara works in his studio. [Dave DeOreo /  Ideastream Public Media]
Héctor Castellanos Lara works in his studio.

Born in Guatemala City, Guatemala, Héctor Castellanos Lara has made a tremendous impact on the Northeast Ohio arts and culture community since his arrival in 1990.

Whether it's creating floats for Parade the Circle, making sidewalk art at Chalk Fest or celebrating the Day of the Dead with Día de Muertos, Castellanos Lara loves to share his Latino heritage.

 Héctor Castellanos Lara with a prototype of his Gateway Monument. [Jean-Marie Papoi /  Ideastream Public Media]

Currently, he's working on something new for Art House in Cleveland's Brooklyn Center neighborhood with a group of young Latino refugees - "The Gateway Monument."

 Immigrant volunteers begin to build Héctor Castellanos Lara's "Gateway Monument" at the Art House in Cleveland. [Héctor Castellanos Lara ]

"You can see there are no walls, so you can come through different directions inside. And that was the main idea. You know, we don't need walls," Castellanos Lara said.

"The Gateway Monument" is scheduled to open later this summer.

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Dave DeOreo is coordinating producer for Ideastream Public Media’s arts and culture team.