Laredo Fair Names Linda Lopez Howland Art Advocate
The Laredo International Fair and Exposition honored Linda Lopez Howland for her years of service to the local arts community.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Cultural
The Laredo International Fair and Exposition named Linda Lopez Howland its 2027 Art Advocate of the Year. The fair plans an art showcase February 10 at the 1848 Event Center, followed by an art gala February 12 honoring Howland.
Why it matters
The honor recognizes Howland's service to Laredo's arts community, which spans her work in commercial real estate and leadership roles with the Laredo Theater Guild International. It also highlights the fair's annual art showcase for students from third through 12th grade.
Howland has more than three decades in commercial real estate and has worked with the Laredo Theater Guild International as an actress, costumer, assistant producer and producer. The showcase's competition categories and monetary prize amounts were not detailed in the announcement.
The players
Laredo International Fair and Exposition
The Laredo International Fair and Exposition is the organization that presents the annual LIFE art showcase and bestowed the 2027 Art Advocate of the Year designation on Howland.
Linda Lopez Howland
Linda Lopez Howland is a Laredo commercial real estate broker with more than three decades in the field who has served in leadership roles with the Laredo Theater Guild International.
The details
Howland, a Laredo commercial real estate broker, was selected as LIFE queen during her senior year of high school and has been involved with the Children's Advocacy Center of Laredo and Webb County and the Society of Martha Washington. The fair will hold its art showcase February 10 at the 1848 Event Center, with participants competing in several categories for awards and monetary prizes.
Timeline
February 10, 2027: 2027 art showcase at the 1848 Event Center.
February 12, 2027: Art gala honoring Howland.
Cultural Context
The honor sits within the LIFE art showcase, an annual competition that draws students from third through 12th grade across several categories with awards and monetary prizes. Recognizing an adult advocate alongside the student program ties community arts leadership to the pipeline of young participants.
Residents can attend the February 10 showcase at the 1848 Event Center and the February 12 gala honoring Howland. The announcement did not list ticket prices or registration requirements.
The takeaway
Community arts recognition often connects long-term volunteer leadership with the young artists who compete in local showcases. Following the fair's February events offers a direct way to see both.
What happens next
The 2027 art showcase is scheduled for February 10, 2027 at the 1848 Event Center, followed by the art gala honoring Howland on February 12, 2027.
Further reading
Explore more Cultural coverage tied to Laredo's arts scene.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Laredo Morning Times.
