COLORES 2026

COLORES, Latinos in Architecture’s seventh annual celebration of Latino culture, will take place September 30-October 2, 2026.

Join us Friday afternoon for a conversation with Karina Gonzalez, Principal Dancer, Houston Ballet. 

Please consider becoming a sponsor of COLORES. A portion of the proceeds from this event will be donated to Architecture Center Houston’s Latinos in Architecture scholarship program, established by the AIA Houston Latinos in Architecture Committee in 2019. More information about the scholarship program may be found here.

Location: TBD

About Karina Gonzalez

Karina Gonzalez earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration, Leadership, and Management in May 2024. A native of Caracas, Venezuela, she is an internationally principal dancer and silver medalist at the New York International Ballet Competition.

Gonzalez received her early training at the Gustavo Franklin Ballet School in Caracas. She began her professional career with Ballet Nacional de Caracas before joining Tulsa Ballet, where she was promoted to principal dancer in 2007. In 2010, she joined Houston Ballet as a soloist and was promoted to principal dancer in 2013.

Throughout her career, Gonzalez has performed leading roles in works by many of the world’s most celebrated choreographers, including George Balanchine, John Cranko, Nacho Duato, Jorma Elo, Jiří Kylián, James Kudelka, Wayne McGregor, John Neumeier, Justin Peck, André Prokovsky, Jerome Robbins, Ben Stevenson, and Stanton Welch.

As a guest artist, she has performed with renowned companies around the world, including Ballet Estable del Teatro Colón in Argentina, The Australian Ballet, and Leipziger Ballett in Germany. She has also appeared in international galas and festivals throughout Italy, Mexico, South Korea, Malaysia, Colombia, Cuba, Canada, Germany, and many other countries. She was invited to perform at the NHK Ballet Festival in Tokyo as part of the first American ballet company to participate in the prestigious event.

Gonzalez has been featured on the covers of Pointe Magazine, Dance Magazine, and A+C Houston Magazine. The Houston Press named her “Best Dancer,” and Pointe Magazine selected one of her performances as a favorite of the year.

Beyond the stage, Gonzalez has appeared in television and marketing campaigns for Kimberly-Clark and Honda Civic. She has been honored by the Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and recognized as one of Houston’s 30 Most Influential Women.

In addition to her artistic and academic accomplishments, Gonzalez is the proud mother of two daughters, Julia and Eva Edwards.

Latinos in Architecture COLORES Sponsors
Information about becoming a sponsor can be found here. 

Platinum Sponsor
LESCO Architectural Lighting

Gold Sponsors
cre8 Architects
Gage Architecture
MACO Construction
Martinez Architects
S&G Engineering Consultants LLC

Silver Sponsors
Durotech
English + Associates Architects
MATRIX Structural
MWA Architects
RDLR Architects

Bronze Sponsors
Bass Construction
DBR Engineering
Forney
Koehler
Ninyo & Moore
O’Connell Robertson
Tarkett