SEATTLE, Aug. 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, Nordstrom is partnering with Latino Art Beat, a Chicago-based not-for-profit arts organization, to feature art from their 'What Hispanic Heritage & Culture Means to Me' competition at Nordstrom stores and online at Nordstrom.com.

High school juniors and seniors from Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami and Washington D.C. were invited to submit a drawing or painting for the 2008 fine-arts competition that interprets what Hispanic heritage means to them. Winning artwork will be showcased in window displays at select Nordstrom stores during Hispanic Heritage Month, from September 15 to October 15, and will also be available for online viewing on the Nordstrom e-gallery at http://www.nordstrom.com/hispanicheritagemonth.com.

'We are delighted to partner with Latino Art Beat and celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with an organization that recognizes the importance of furthering the value of arts education and culture within our communities,' said Amelia Ransom Letcher, vice president of Diversity Affairs for Nordstrom. 'We are excited to share the winning artwork with our customers by featuring the pieces from these five talented individuals.'

'Children are our future and the collaboration between Latino Art Beat and Nordstrom, supplemented by the on-going support of all our sponsors, academic partners and friends, will help make a difference,' said Don Rossi Nuccio, president and co-founder of Latino Art Beat. 'We will help shape tomorrow's future today by offering alternatives to our young people; encouraging higher learning and better preparing them for future job opportunities. By profiling these talented young aspiring artists through Nordstrom, we are not only celebrating Heritage, but encouraging their future success.'

Latino Art Beat has selected one winner from each market and one national winner, each receiving a scholarship to the college of their choice.