Araceli Lopez is the founder, Executive Director & Choreographer of Latin Art Organization of Arkansas (Springdale, AR) and is a multidisciplinary artist. Originally from Zamora Michoacan, Mexico, Lopez graduated in 2001 from Centro Escolar Juana de Asbaje with a B.A. in Elementary Education. Lopez has more than 20 years of dance and academic experience in Mexican Folkloric Dance. In addition, Lopez practices Mexican folk visual art with creations of Mexican corn husk dolls and catrinas. Lopez is the recipient of the 2018 Cultural Leader Award (NWA Workers Justice Center) and the 2021 Artists 3 60 award (Mid-America Arts Alliance and Walton Family Foundation).