Art, Diversity, Experiences of Community Examined and Celebrated

The 23rd annual Latino/a/x Issues Conference promises to be both a celebration and study of the arts and diversity within the Latino community, with special emphasis on the work of student researchers at the joint eStrella (Student Research on Latino/a/x and Latin American Studies) Conference. Joint conference events will run from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday (March 21) in the Bowen-Thompson Student Union.

The bilingual conference will look at Latino/a/x cultures, politics, accomplishments and art. BGSU students, faculty, staff and guest participants will take part in panel discussions focused on such topics as the intersections of art and activism in northwest Ohio, survival stories of immigrants and migrants, U.S. Latino/a/x’s in higher education, and Mexican and Latino/a/x photography, art and spirituality, along with a poetry workshop.

Artist and activist Favianna Rodriguez will give the keynote address during the conference luncheon, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Lenhart Grand Ballroom. Registration for the luncheon is closed, but those wishing to come for her free talk at 12:30 p.m. are welcome.

Based in Oakland, California, Rodriguez uses her art in the hope of creating profound and lasting social change, and she also leads workshops locally and nationally on the power of art and cultural organizing. Working with social movement groups around the world, she addresses issues such as migration, economic inequality, gender injustice and patriarchy. She is also the co-founder of Presente.org, an online network dedicated to empowering Latino communities, and has served as executive director of CultureStrike, a national arts organization for migrant rights.

Following her talk, Rodriguez will sign works of her art that will be available for purchase.

The conference is organized by the School of Cultural and Critical Studies and its Department of Ethnic Studies, with the Institute for the Study of Culture and Society Latin American and Latino/a Studies Cluster, and the Latino Student Union. As is its tradition, the conference concludes with a party hosted by the Latino Student Union, from 6-8 p.m. in 202B Union.