For members of Amor al Arte, dancing isn’t about recognition or pay — it’s about doing something purely for the love of it, just as the group’s name suggests.

Amor al Arte, which means “love of art” in Spanish, is a new folklorico group based in St. Helena that draws members from across the North Bay. They come together to embrace their Latino culture, members say, and remember the customs and traditions they left behind in Mexico and Central America that can get lost in their busy lives in the U.S.

The majority of the group’s members hail from the Mexican state of Oaxaca, others from Jalisco, Baja California, Michoacán, Guanajuato and Campeche. The group is founded on tight-knit connections — members range in age from 3 to 60, some family and others friends who have become family over the years.

“We have a good relationship and our smile says everything,” Valeria Cerda Jaime said in Spanish as she danced alongside her mother, Wendy Jaime, during a recent practice. “Even if we make a mistake, we just laugh, it is really nice and it helps us connect.”

Folklorico, a cultural representation of Mexico in dance form, has its roots in pre-colonial Mexico. It is a combination of indigenous dances with influences from all over. Every region in Mexico has a distinct dance, costume and style, with skirt movement being a recognizable detail of it.

Valeria, 17, who lives in Angwin with her family, creates many of the choreographies for Amor al Arte. Though this is her first time doing something of this sort, Valeria said she has always enjoyed dancing and representing her culture and heritage to others. She likes spending time with other members to have fun and forget about her duties from school, she said.

Liliana Calderon, of Napa, who brings her son and daughter to dance, said she feels fortunate there is an opportunity to teach history to her children that comes at no cost.

“Knowing what each color of the costume represents, stuff I did not know myself, practicing their Spanish,” are among the reasons the family participates in the group, she said.

The group started in September 2025 after a gathering of friends where the idea of forming a folklorico troupe. It all happened organically and now there are 25 dancers with 55 members, including family members such as the parents of many dancers.

“I like the sense of family we have but also the adrenaline rush of presenting,” troupe member Alondra Perez Gonzalez said in Spanish.

Amor Al Arte practices three hours every Sunday at Carnegie Building in St. Helena or Regusci Winery in Napa. For many, Sunday is their only day off each week. But members said they are eager to go to practice.

Many of them commute to practice from Calistoga, Napa and Healdsburg. Ivan Ramirez drives all the way from Berkeley.

“We have the commitment to be in the group even when it’s volunteer-based, we adapt and I like our communication. We know there are days when someone might not be able to attend but someone else could,” Ramirez said.

Lilly Muñoz Sousa, who had never danced before, drives from American Canyon for practices and performances. Originally from Campeche, Mexico, she said everyone in the group is her family since she does not have relatives in the area. She refrained from dancing in the past because of embarrassment but by being in a comfortable environment where she feels at ease, she finally decided to try it.

Sandra Martinez, 60, of Napa, said she appreciates that with folklorico, it does not matter how old you are, “there are no rules.”

One of the most important factors for the volunteer-led group is there are no fees to join. Though funds are needed for costumes, group member Leticia Gonzalez said they always find ways to raise money. Costumes can range from $200 to $300 per person.

“Our focus is the youth, we are the backup for the teenagers, but we want the little ones to be immersed,” Gonzalez said. “Our culture, which is being lost these days … we want to salvage it. It can help you prevent depression, you find friends, you find a family … we want them to feel welcome and loved.”

Amor al Arte performs across North Bay. The group does not charge for performances, saying they perform only for the love of dancing, but it accepts donations and is exploring establishing itself as a nonprofit. At performances, the group requests water and a space where members can change — other than that, their expenses are paid out of their own pockets.

“We’ve danced for five people … and we’ve danced on a stage but also in someone’s living room, we do it for love,” Ramirez said.

The group shares more about its mission and upcoming performances @grupofolklorico.amoralarte on Instagram.

You can reach Staff Writer Elsa Cavazos at elsa.cavazos@pressdemocrat.com.