Alberta Hernández Nicolás uses art to honor Afro-Mexican heritage

Alberta Hernández Nicolás, known as Betty, is an artist from the Costa Chica region of Oaxaca, Mexico, recognized for her work in graphic arts and restoration. Her work focuses on depicting the daily life, traditions, dances, markets, and myths of Afro-Mexican families, as well as local fauna such as armadillos and crocodiles.

Hernández's artistic path was significantly influenced by Father Glyn Jemmott Nelson, founder of the México Negro association, who encouraged Afro-descendant communities to engage in arts and education. Under his mentorship, she pursued studies at the Universidad Autónoma Benito Juárez de Oaxaca, graduating as an instructor of Plastic Arts. Throughout her career, she has participated in exhibitions at the Instituto de Artes Gráficas de Oaxaca and has conducted art workshops for children in her home region.