THE ZAPANTA FAMILY: LEGADO Award, Philanthropy in the Arts

LEGADO for Philanthropy in the Arts honors renowned Latin American and Latinos who nurture the exceptional talent of the future in the arts, literature, and music among others. Having made their own indelible mark, LEGADO awardees recognize the importance of sharing their profound knowledge and experience to support others. While great artists are distinguished by their talent and creativity, philanthropists in the arts are outstanding in their support to have an even deeper impact by nurturing future generations of talent.
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2024 LEGADO Award for Philanthropy in the Arts
Dr. Richard and Rebecca Zapanta started their collection of Mexican art over 30 years ago. True to their roots, they have long been committed to the cause of education and the arts in the Hispanic community. This is a tradition that continues through multiple generations of the Zapanta family.
The Zapanta Collection includes works by several generations of modern Mexican artists and provides an overview of important artistic styles and an in-depth consideration of poignant themes, political events, and social narratives that informed their creative output. Dr. Richard Zapanta was a fourth-generation Mexican American whose collecting was a way to reconnect with his cultural roots. Dr. Zapanta and his wife, Rebecca, established close friendships with many of the artists whose works they collected, such as Rodolfo Morales and Raúl Anguiano, often inviting them to their home in California and spending time with them in Mexico.
The Zapanta’s passion for Mexican art has resulted in a unique and well recognized collection, even creating lifelong friendships with some of the artists. Their collection has been exhibited at various venues including the Mexican Consulate in Los Angeles, The San Diego Art Museum, The Bakersfield Art Museum, The Luckman Fine Arts Gallery at California State University Los Angeles, The National Museum of Mexican Art in Chicago and several others. Additionally, they envisioned and spearheaded the creation of a historic mural completed by renowned Mexican Artist Maestro Raúl Anguiano at East Los Angeles College in 2002.
Recently, the collection traveled abroad to the University Museum and Art Gallery at The University of Hong Kong and then to the Yuchengco Museum in Manila, Philippines. In 2019, the collection was exhibited at the Cornell Fine Arts Museum at Rollins College in Winterpark, Florida.
The collection has always been the focal point and foundation of the Zapanta family home in Whittier, California, emphasizing the importance of their Mexican roots. They have opened their home to numerous philanthropic, political and educational events, welcoming the public to view and learn about different aspects of Mexican history and culture through their collection.