A staple art and cultural institution for four decades, the Mission's Galería de la Raza celebrates 40 years of bringing community together through activism and the sharing of the neighborhood's strong Latino culture. The season-long programming is comprised of four main events taking place now through November, and you'll also have the chance to snag Galería de la Raza's 40th Anniversary Catalogue, which features essays, interviews, and color reproductions illustrating the space's 40-year history, and a limited-edition fine arts portfolio. Local art icon Guillermo Gómez-Peña will team up with novelist Sandra Cisneros (known  for her contributions to The Village Voice and The New York Times and her novel The House on Mango Street) in a special collaboration that will serve as the finale ceremony.

The inaugural event is a Retrospective Anniversary Exhibition spanning artworks from 1970 to 2010 and will feature works by several key artists such as Yolanda Lopez, José Montoya, John Leaños, and Rupert  Garcia. The show highlights Galería de la Raza's mission of fostering public awareness and appreciation of art central to the Latino/Chicano experience.

Family Day is free and open to the public and will take place on October 2. People of all ages are encouraged to learn about the Galería's curriculum. Children will be invited to participate in hands-on art activities with local artists and craftsmen.

On October 3, you can swing by Yerba Buena Gardens (as part of YBGF's 10th anniversary season) for a free Latin Jazz Concert with Grammy Award-winning Poncho Sanchez for an afternoon of Latin jazz, swing, bebop, and salsa fusion.

Brava Theatre will host the Big Finale on November 21, when legendary pioneer performance artist Guillermo Gómez-Peña will present his SF premiere of Strange Democracy addressing the end of the Bush era, the challenges that Obama is facing, and U.S.’s  anti-immigration hysteria.

Whatever you fancy, make time to show your support for the accomplishments of SF's Latino community and this amazing cultural institution.

9/25 - 11/21; galeriadelaraza.org