Hispanic Heritage Month Celebrations Begin Sept. 15 at Del Mar College
Month-long virtual observance examines food, art, family life and other factors that shape rich culture and impacts on our communities’ diverse way of life
Article by: Rosa Linda Reynoso
You can expect a month-long celebration between Sept. 15 and Oct. 15 every year as communities across the nation observe Hispanic Heritage Month. This observance also serves to enlighten participants by recognizing the diversity, innumerable contributions and influence Hispanics have provided to shape our communities, states and the country.
In observance of Hispanic Heritage Month 2022, Del Mar College (DMC), the DMC Mexican American Studies Program and the College’s chapter of the Texas Association of Chicanos in Higher Education (TACHE) present the following virtual and on-campus (one) offerings from Thursday, Sept. 15, through Saturday, Oct. 15:
Author Diana López Presents “¡Viva Corpus Christi!”
“¡Viva Corpus Christi!” with Corpus Christi native Diana López, an author of several novels and stories set in her hometown, will examine how the city has shaped her identity as a Mexican American and how it has inspired her stories. Using a combination of personal narrative and readings from her works, López’s presentation explores Corpus Christi, not just as a setting, but as a character––one with a rich Hispanic Heritage.
- To view “¡Viva Corpus Christi!,” go to: https://youtu.be/NHqRM640Ie8.
- Questions? Contact DMC Professor of Spanish Javier Morin at jmorin@delmar.edu or 361-698-1582.
“Food and Culture: Vignettes from South Texas Family Life”
During their presentation, “Food and Culture: Vignettes from South Texas Family Life,” Del Mar College History Professor Dr. Mark Robbins and Dr. Christine Reiser Robbins, Associate Professor of Anthropology and Co-coordinator of Southwest Borderland/Mexican American Studies at Texas A&M University-Kingsville, examine how “food” is symbolically at the heart of our family and heritage, a connection between generations and across the many communities of which we are a part. This presentation explores food as an important window into South Texas family life, focusing on ‘living recipes’ shared by TAMUK anthropology students and oral history remembrances of farm workers. Both presenters will discuss how viewers might preserve their own food heritage by conducting their own living recipes.
- To view “Food and Culture: Vignettes from South Texas Family Life,” go to https://youtu.be/Cu8EFCYqufk
- Questions? Contact DMC faculty member Dr. Mark Robbins at mrobbins1@delmar.edu or 361-698-1370.
Discussion by Mayra Zamora, Chicana Contemporary Artist, Educator, Muralist, Curator
“Mayra Zamora, Chicana Contemporary Artist, Educator, Muralist, Curator” is a discussion with Corpus Christi native Mayra Zamora about her early art career. She then transitions into an in-depth conversation about her colorful murals, which are inspired by her current body of work and include an artist’s codex, allowing the viewer to participate literally and visually. Zamora is a freelance artist and an art educator for the Art Museum of South Texas, Antonio E. Garcia Arts and Education Center, K Space Contemporary and the Art Center of Corpus Christi.
- To view “Mayra Zamora, Chicana Contemporary Artist, Educator, Muralist, Curator,” go to https://youtu.be/xyRtZGq833E.
- Questions? Contact DMC Professor of Spanish Javier Morin at jmorin@delmar.edu or 361-698-1582.
Interview with Teresa Saldivar: Folklorico Dancer, Local Artist, Educator
During a personal interview with Teresa Saldivar, a local instructor and performer of Spanish and Mexican dance, she addresses her role as an educator of the arts in our community. Saldivar discusses her experiences and motivation in both teaching and performing. She also highlights the role of dance (and the arts) in the Mexican American community, gives an in-depth talk about her costumes and discusses how costumes complement the music and create beauty and art that brings dance to life. Saldivar also covers the importance of this enhancement to all performances the dresses may portray, including characteristics, mood and themes. Viewers will also see samples of her work in the community.
- To view “Interview with Teresa Saldivar: Folklorico Dancer, Local Artist, Educator,” go to https://youtu.be/LC4FUOZvZ3A.
- Questions? Contact DMC Professor of Spanish Javier Morin at jmorin@delmar.edu or 361-698-1582.
“Hispanic Heritage Month: Four Artists in Focus,” a Virtual Display by DMC Libraries
Using a virtual display this year, DMC Libraries is highlighting four local and regional artists who create artwork that incorporates their personal experiences and Hispanic background. View artwork and read biographical information about artists Humberto Saenz, Jorge Alegria, Lauri Garcia Jones (a.k.a. Loot Achris), and DMC’s own Professor of Art Amorette Garza Morales.
- To view “Four Artists in Focus,” go to https://libguides.delmar.edu/hispanicheritageartists
- Questions ? Contact Armando “Ben” Herrera at 361-698-1978 or aherrera@delmar.edu.
Links to all of the virtual offerings listed above are also available on the DMC Viking News “Events” page at https://vikingnews.delmar.edu/event-calendar/.
To wrap up the celebration, the College will hold an “on-campus” Meet the Author and Book Signing event with award-winning author Diana Lopez on Thursday, Oct. 13, at 11:30 a.m. Lopez will sign copies of her most recent books––Sing with Me: The Story of Selena Quintanilla, Canta conmigo: La historia de Selena Quintanilla, the Spanish version and Lucky Luna. The event is scheduled in Room 133 in the Coles Classroom Building on the Heritage Campus, 101 Baldwin Blvd. (78404). Interested individuals can also access directions and campus map online.
Lopez’s books, Sing with Me and the Spanish version of Canta conmigo, follow Selena’s rise to stardom, from front-lining her family’s band at rodeos and quinceaneras to performing in front of tens of thousands of fans at the Houston Astrodome. Lucky Luna is the story of Luna Ramos, who has more cousins than she can count, and what it means to be a friend and a prima (cousin), and how to accept the things that make us truly unique.
Lopez, a DMC graduate and Corpus Christi native, has written several books, including Coco: A Story about Music, Shoes, and Family, the novel adaptation of the Academy Award-nominated film Coco that won the Oscars for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song. All of her books are set in Texas, except for Coco.
Sponsored by the Del Mar College Mexican American Studies Program, the book signing event is free and open to the public with refreshments also served. Lopez’s books will be available for purchase in the Coles Classroom Building through the DMC Bookstore. For more information about the author and her work, visit Lopez’s website at http://dianalopezbooks.com/.
For more information about the Oct. 13 on-campus book signing, contact DMC Professor of Spanish and Mexican American Studies Program Coordinator Javier Morin at jmorin@delmar.edu or 361-698-1582.
Del Mar College empowers students to achieve their dreams. We offer quality programs, individual attention, outstanding instruction through faculty with real-world experience and affordable costs to credit and noncredit students in Corpus Christi and the South Texas Coastal Bend area. Nationally recognized while locally focused, we’re ranked in the top two percent of community colleges in the country granting associate degrees to Hispanic students (Community College Week). Del Mar College focuses on offering our students programs that match current or emerging career opportunities. Whether students are interested in the fine arts, sciences, business, occupational or technical areas, students get the education they need for the future they want at Del Mar College.