Welcome to Las Bodegas.

We have two artist studios, for our residency program.

And then as we step to the other half of the warehouse, we'll have two smaller classrooms thatll open and close.

We'll have our digital art lab that Im really excited about.

Construction is well underway at Las Bodegas, a brand new community space focused on creative innovation and education.

You only often hear that communities of color are damaged.

Thats what happens whe we dont control the narrative, when we dont have access to the tools, to the equipment, to the education to ensure that we're telling our stories on our own terms.

Located between the Sun Valle and Lincoln Park neighborhoods, the 10,000 square foot warehouse is part of the Latino Cultural Arts Center, a local nonprofit dedicated to elevating and showcasing Latino art and culture.

The center is an incubator for creative career development, focused on marginalized communities.

At Las Bodegas, youll find workshops that will teach young people and families about entrepreneurship in the creative economy.

Las Bodegas will provide access a multimedia lab, art classrooms and more, for professional development in industries like film, music, and media.

We are creating a space and a home for the community.

That's what's most important, that they'll have the opportunity for their children to grow, the young people in their families to grow, and for adults to have the experience of knowing production the arts, workforce and healing.

The Latino Cultural Arts Center was founded on the premise of art having the power to change the world.

Las Bodegas hopes to be a response to that, providing a space where communities and families can gather in the face of discrimination and displacement.

With the raids happening across the country, that's having a severe psychological impact on our communities.

Having the space where we can come together to address these issues together is going to be a really exciting and special opportunity for all of us.