Avondale, Arizona – September 26, 2011 – Estrella Mountain Community College (EMCC), a Maricopa Community College, will be celebrating local Latinos to commemorate Hispanic Heritage Month during the month of October. The college will host a series of events showcasing the cultural, artistic, and leadership aspects of the Hispanic community. “We chose to focus our theme on the successes of Latinos in our local community,” says Elena Beltran, chair of the EMCC Hispanic Heritage Month (HHM) committee. “By celebrating individuals that have come from our rural communities in the west valley and showcasing their achievements, we are reminded that small town dreams can turn into big city successes.”
Events are scheduled from October 3rd through October 14th on the EMCC campus, located on 3000 North Dysart Road in Avondale. Festivities will include speakers, workshops, films, a community organization fair, a mural art project and artist reception, art walk and exhibitions. Events are free and open to the public.
“Indigenous Perspectives,” the campus’ HHM art exhibition, was provided through a continuing partnership with Chandler-based Xico arte y cultura. Xico is a multidisciplinary arts organization created in 1975 by a group of local Chicano and Native American artists with the vision to promote indigenous arts and culture through community based arts programs. “This exhibition will instill a sense of pride within the Hispanic community and a greater understanding to all. We truly value our relationship with Estrella and the positive impact we have accomplished together over the past three years,” says Donna Valdés, Executive Director of Xico. The artwork of eleven local Latino artists will be exhibited at several on-campus installations and will available for viewing until the end of the fall semester in December.
Monday, October 3 – Kick-off event: Mural Art Project and Artist Reception
This freestyle community art project is primarily for faculty, staff and students with a theme of “La Familia Estrella.” The 8 foot by 5 foot mural will use acrylic paints to create a bright, colorful representation of the campus’ culture. 9:00 a.m. – 4 p.m., EMCC Fitness Center Amphitheater
The day of art will culminate with an evening artist reception, presentation and art walk. The artists represented in the Xico art exhibition will be invited to attend and network with the campus community to present and explain their creative inspirations. A guided art walk will be available to view the various campus installations. 4:00 – 7:00 p.m., EMCC Fitness Center Amphitheater
Tuesday, October 4 – Film: Chicano! History of the Mexican-American Civil Rights Movement
Part 1 – 10:00 – 11:15 a.m., EMCC Center for Teaching and Learning
Parts 1 and 2 – 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., EMCC Center for Teaching and Learning
Wednesday, October 5 – Workshop: Creating Mini Shrines
In Mexico and Mexican-American communities around the country, the Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos) is a festive celebration to honor lost loved ones and others who have “gone before.” Traditionally, a shrine or altar is created to celebrate the life of a deceased loved one and generally includes several symbolic items, as well as items more specific to the honored person. This workshop will provide the instruction and creative assistance to develop personal shrines. Attendees are asked to bring a small box of any kind and trinkets that are associated with the honoree. 10:00 – 11:30 a.m., Plaza Gallery
Thursday, October 6 – NPR Reporter Nadine Arroyo-Rodriguez
National Public Radio (NPR) reporter and local resident, Nadine Arroyo-Rodriguez, will speak about her report on American born children living in Guatemala. These children, born to illegal immigrants while living in the U.S., are officially and legally U.S. citizens, but were deported with their parents to a country where they are not naturalized citizens. They are “caught between two worlds.” Arroyo-Rodriguez is an Emmy-nominated journalist and a Telly Award winner, reports out of the Latino Affairs desk at KJZZ 91.5 FM focusing on stories that affect Arizona’s Latino community. 11:15 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Plaza Gallery
Thursday, October 6 – Film: Chicano! History of the Mexican-American Civil Rights Movement
Part 2 – 10:00 – 11:15 a.m., EMCC Center for Teaching and Learning
Monday, October 10 – Community Organization Fair
EMCC student organizations will be joined by local community non-profit and volunteer organizations to educate, engage and recruit fairgoers. Interested community groups are invited to participate as a tabling vendor at no cost. For details and registration, contact Elena Beltran at 623-935-8331 or [email protected]. 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., Komatke Courtyard
Tuesday, October 11 – Film: Chicano! History of the Mexican-American Civil Rights Movement
Part 3 – 10:00 – 11:15 a.m., EMCC Center for Teaching and Learning
Part 3 and 4 – 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., EMCC Center for Teaching and Learning
Thursday, October 13 – Film: Chicano! History of the Mexican-American Civil Rights Movement
Part 4 – 10:00 – 11:15 a.m., EMCC Center for Teaching and Learning
Estrella Mountain Community College is located on Thomas and Dysart Roads in Avondale and offers transfer-ready academic courses and job-specific occupational training to approximately 13,000 students annually. Estrella Mountain is part of the Maricopa County Community College District, one of the largest community college districts in the nation. For more information, visit www.estrellamountain.edu or www.maricopa.edu .
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