Undocumented community art event hopes to tackle ‘culture and immigration’
Screen grab of a digital flyer captured from the official El Camino College immigrant success Instagram account.
As part of undocumented student action week, an art event for undocumented students and employees will be held at El Camino College, on Monday, Oct. 24, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the library.
Students, faculty, and staff who are undocumented, formerly undocumented, or come from a mixed immigration status household can participate by submitting their art no later than 4 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 20.
Several types of art are allowed, such as photography, poetry, paintings and music.
All the various and individual art pieces will be displayed in the library, with each student artist able to share their art. Exhibitions incorporating music are in progress, with organizers trying to find the best form to present it to the public.
While participants can submit art they created in the comfort of their own homes, the Social Justice Center is giving artists a more communal option. The center will provide space and supplies for any potential artist on Oct. 13, 19, and 20 from 1 to 2 p.m.
Artists are free to express whatever subject they want in their art, but it’s encouraged to approach the topic of culture and immigration.
Student Success Coordinator Aldo Vazquez highlights the purpose of events like this. He says it gives undocumented students the freedom to express themselves in a caring, nonjudgmental environment.
“Now we’re doing more purposeful actions to [show that] it’s important for our undocumented students to take space because El Camino College is also their college,” Vazquez said.
Vazquez says he sees a shift in the culture.
He says colleges avoided acknowledging undocumented students ten years ago. Now they’re recognizing that these students represent a large number of the student population and will no longer be disregarded.
El Camino community members excited by art and ready to present and express themselves are encouraged to participate and visit the Social Justice Center, located in the Communications Building.
Those interested in submitting their art can email [email protected] and specify the details of the art piece.
