In this speech given by Manuel Álvarez Acosta at the opening of the Primera Bienal Interamericana de Pintura y Grabado [First Inter-American Painting and Print Biennial] in 1958, the Mexican dramatist and cinematographer explained that one of the main reasons for holding the Biennial was to strengthen the bonds of friendship, and encourage deeper levels of mutual understanding between our countries. At that time Mexico was very familiar with the concept of the Biennial since it was represented overseas at both the Venice Biennial and the Bordeaux Exhibition. Álvarez Acosta also mentioned that Mexico would soon have a museum of modern art. The Biennial showcased a wide selection of works by 300 artists in a variety of styles representing many different trends and techniques. 

The countries represented at the Biennial were: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Chile, El Salvador, United States, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Uruguay, and Venezuela.   Puerto Rico sent a delegation of artists and Carlos Raquel Rivera (Yauco, b. 1923) was awarded a prize for one of his prints. The article by art historian Shifra M. Goldman, “La pintura mexicana en el decenio de la confrontación: 1955–1965” [Mexican Painting in the Decade of Confrontation: 1955–1965] (Plural 6, no.85, Oct. 1978, pp. 42–43) reports on the Mexican Inter-American Biennials.