Arts & Features

Library hosts event to honor Hispanic Heritage Month

By Kaitlyn Estrada • October 21, 2025

Munira Shatarah, 62, nursing major, makes finishing touches to her flower which students were able to make at the arts and crafts table durig the Hispanic Heritage Month Pop Up held at the Library Lawn on Oct. 2. (Philip Kozel-Lopez | The Union)

In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, El Camino College’s Library hosted a pop-up event on the Library Lawn that promoted culture and community through inclusivity Tuesday, Oct. 2.

The event provided a space for connections and invited students and staff to come together in an opportunity to be a bridge for students, culture, and library resources.

“My biggest thing is making the event just like a sense of belonging for students,” Justin Torres, the ECC Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Accessibility librarian and the coordinator of the event, said. “You don’t have to be Hispanic to enjoy it, it’s an appreciation of culture and a way to do things together with your peers.”

Torres, acknowledging that ECC is a Hispanic-serving institution, took the opportunity to honor the community that shapes it while inviting everyone of different backgrounds to feel embraced.

A completed flower done at the arts and crafts table rests on top of "I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter," a book written by Erika Sanchez, one of many authors highlighted for the Hispanic Heritage Month Pop Up hosted by the Library at the Library Lawn on Oct. 2. (Philip Kozel-Lopez | The Union)

The goal of the pop-up was to showcase the resources of the library while creating an inclusive environment to explore Hispanic heritage.

“A lot of people think of the library as just boring books, but we have graphic novels, art books, poetry, and more. We want students to see the variety and know this space has something for them,” Torres said.

Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated every year from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. The month is used to honor the histories, cultures and contributions of America’s Hispanic ancestors.

Precious Joy Turner, 36, studio arts major, gazes at her near-finished flower, done at the arts and crafts table during the Hispanic Heritage Month Pop Up hosted by the Library at the Library Lawn on Oct. 2. "I saw the pop up on the way; just wanted to stop by. Figured I&squot;d give the flower art a shot." (Philip Kozel-Lopez | The Union) — Precious Joy Turner, 36, Studio Arts major, gazes at her near-finished flower, done at the arts and crafts table during the Hispanic Heritage Month Pop Up hosted by the Library at the Library Lawn on Oct. 2. "I saw the pop up on the way; just wanted to stop by. Figured I'd give the flower art a shot." (Philip Kozel-Lopez | The Union)

Often, Hispanic Heritage Month is recognized through festivals displaying art, food and music.

“The main thing is learning more about what the library has to offer ….we have tutoring, research coaching, credit classes, a maker space with 3D printing, an esports area… and it is free for students,” Torres said.

Laura Ishizaka, part-time librarian led a group of students in a simple yet culturally significant craft.

“I love that I get this opportunity to bring in different parts of my own personality and culture and get to share it with everybody,” Ishizaka said.

She guided the students on how to turn bright crafting paper into flowers called Cempasuchil.

Cempasuchil are a central element in Dia de los Muertos and are displayed at altars for loved ones according to the Desert Botanical Garden website.

Adam Hernandez Hussain, 22, cybersecurity major, carefully folds and cuts the shape for his flower at the arts and crafts table during Hispanic Heritage Month Pop Up hosted by the Library at the Library Lawn on Oct. 2. "I thought at first this was for a movie showing. The Social Justice Center hosted a showing of &squot;Blood In Blood Out&squot; around last week." (Philip Kozel-Lopez | The Union) — Adam Hernandez Hussain, 22, Cyber Security major, carefully folds and cuts the shape for his flower at the arts and crafts table during Hispanic Heritage Month Pop Up hosted by the Library at the Library Lawn on Oct. 2. "I thought at first this was for a movie showing. The Social Justice Center hosted a showing of 'Blood In Blood Out' around last week." (Philip Kozel-Lopez | The Union)

“It’s all about including everybody, inviting everyone in… If you’ve never done something like this before, it’s a safe space to try it,” Ishizaka said.

The Cempasuchil flowers allowed students to create something lasting while engaging in a small piece of Hispanic culture.

Charles Patterson, a 19-year-old business major, said the craft “looked fun and creative.”

“I saw the pop up on the way; just wanted to stop by. Figured I’d give the flower art a shot,” 36-year-old Precious Joy Turner, studio art major, said.

“It’s a small event, but it gives students a chance to pause and enjoy themselves,” Torres said.