“We wanted to tell a story through imagery that talked about strengths, pride, heritage, the past, the future … we also considered the range of territories that represent us as a people, and there was so much story to tell. That is how we started the endeavor of finding the artists who would help us tell this story beautifully.”

The cards, available to customers with eligible debit cards, feature dynamic and stylized interpretations of the spirit of determination, a festive musicality, and the enduring beauty found in iconic flora and fauna. The Mi Cultura Gallery was also featured in a video on Univision.

The art of Juanco featured in the Mi Cultura Gallery centers elements of history in visual language that feels very ‘now,’ to help represent the concept of heritage.

Juanco, based in Peru, interpreted design elements that reflect pre-Columbian influences on the cultures of American continents — such as Aztec and Mayan, Mochica, Chavin, and Inca — noting their lasting resonance.

He noted that the iconography of Chachapoya and Wari cultures, in particular, have left an impression on him since childhood.

“His work is a representation of what came to mind when we talked about the past and our heritage, and how it is timeless,” said Marulanda, referencing herself and her team, which includes dozens of nationalities.

Mixing the playful and the dynamic, the artist Cristobal Ojeda Newfren presents images focused on musicality for the Mi Cultura Gallery. To bring a celebratory sense of movement and vitality to his artwork, he incorporated stylistic cues from cartoon imagery prevalent in urban Latin America and Mexico.

“The other exploration we thought about was the present: what we are going through right now as Latino people. How do we showcase what moves us?” said Marulanda. “We all hear in our music our roots and elements that are now blending into many cultures.”

The designer and illustrator’s work may look familiar, as he has also contributed works for other brands around the world, including Nike and Chevrolet.

Costa Rican illustrator and graphic designer Erika Zeledon presents careful explorations of nature infused with meaning. Using color, spacing, and knowledge of history, her birds and flowers animate the concept of strength, capture the elemental, and even honor creation.

With the quetzal, a bird that is important in Latin American culture — it was sacred to the ancient Mayans and Aztecs and is Guatemala’s national emblem — Zeledon conveys a quiet strength, positioning the bird around representative plants of Latin America in one of her pieces for the collection. In another piece, she has chosen the high-flying macaw, known for its associations with the heat of the sun and the expansiveness of the sky, juxtaposed with tropical plants. 

“Any of us can look up at the sky, and be reminded of home, sometimes seeing migratory birds and being filled with wonder about how they got there,” said Marulanda. “Besides choosing these works because of the wonderful use of color and lines, and knowing they would look good, they help us boil down these big concepts onto small canvases you take in your pocket.”

View the gallery at wellsfargo.com/micultura and customize your eligible debit card(s) with a design from the Mi Cultura Gallery.

Explore more Hispanic Heritage Month stories on Wells Fargo Stories.