Hispanic Heritage Month Celebrated at WSU
OGDEN, Utah – Weber State University will celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with a series of free campus events, running Sept. 15-Oct. 15, including a presentation by human rights activist Dolores Huerta, and exhibits from local artist Ayne Velazquez and Peruvian photographer Warner Rios.
Dolores Huerta, 1969, Courtesy The Image Works
“National Hispanic Heritage Month is an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the culture and contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans in the United States,” said Adrienne Andrews, WSU’s Vice President for Diversity.
The community is invited to hear the Hispanic Heritage keynote speaker, Dolores Huerta, Sept. 25 from 6:30-8 p.m. in the Shepherd Union Ballrooms.
Huerta has been described as among the most important, yet least known activists, in American history. She was an equal partner in co-founding the first farm workers’ unions with Cesar Chavez. Though her contributions have gone largely unrecognized, Huerta led the fight for racial and labor justice, becoming one of the most defiant feminists of the 20th century.
“At 87 years old, Ms. Huerta remains an activist in word and deed,” Andrews said. “As a person committed to social change, Huerta’s efforts have included organizing farm workers, setting up voter-registration drives, securing aid for dependent families, disability insurance for California farm workers and the creation and passage of the Agricultural Labor Relations Act of 1975.”
Huerta’s speech is made possible by the Office of the President in partnership with the Center for Community Engaged Learning’s Engaged Learning Series and Cultural Affairs.
Events and Exhibits at the Stewart Library
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Warner Rios Photography
The Stewart Library will host a number of events throughout Hispanic Heritage Month. From Sept. 15-Oct. 15, an exhibit highlighting the art, music and cultures of Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru will be on display in the library. The exhibit features works from artists Ayne Velazquez and Warner Rios. Receptions in their honor will be held Sept. 20 and Sept. 27, respectively.
Velazquez is a professional artist from California, who now resides in Ogden. She is known for skyscraper-sized murals in Los Angeles and other locations in California. Velazquez focuses on pre-Colombian and other art forms connected to the Latino/Hispanic culture.
Rios is a professional photographer from Cusco, Peru. While working for the National Institute of Culture, he discovered his passion for documentary photography. Rios uses his work to reflect his culture.
The Stewart Library’s Hispanic Heritage events are held in partnership with the Hispanic Area Council, WSU Ballet Folklórico, WSU Office of Access & Diversity, the Center of Multicultural Excellence and Artes de Mexico in Utah. All events are free and open to the public during Stewart Library and Shepherd Union Building hours.
Calendar of Events
· “Frida Kahlo paints her own reality,” reception featuring local artist Ayne Velazquez and Ballet Tutulli, Sept. 20, 6-8 p.m., Stewart Library Hetzel-Hoellein Room.
· “El Retrato de la Mujer Andina/Portraits of the Andes Women,” reception featuring Peruvian photographer Warner Rios and Kausachun, Peru ballet. Sept. 27, 6-8 p.m., Stewart Library Hetzel-Hoellein Room.
· The works of authors Gabriela Mistral, Isabel Allende and Gabriel García Márquez will be celebrated at a reception, Oct. 4, 6-8 p.m., Stewart Library Hetzel-Hoellein Room.
· Agustin Victor Casasola and “the Mexican Revolution” art exhibit, Oct. 1-31, Shepherd Union Building Bridge gallery.
· Casasola and the Mexican Revolution discussion with Jeffery Richey, WSU assistant history professor, Oct. 18, 1:30-2:30 p.m., Shepherd Union Fireplace Lounge.
· Ballet Tutulli and WSU Ballet Folklórico presentation, Oct. 26, 6-8 p.m., Ada Lindquist Plaza.
Ballet Folklórico
For photos, visit the following link.
Visit weber.edu/wsutoday for more news about Weber State University.
Ross Rosier, Office of Marketing & Communications
801-626-7948 • rossrosier@weber.edu- Contact:
Teresa Martinez, Center for Community Engaged Learning program coordinator,
for information about Dolores Huerta event
801-626-7737 • teresamartinez1@weber.eduMonica Rodriguez Mesa, Center for Multicultural Excellence,
multicultural counselor, Hispanic Area Council advisor and WSU Ballet Folklórico
801-626-7333 • monicarodriguez@weber.edu