Thursday, February 18, 2016
6 – 8 p.m.
Wheelock Student Center – Rasmussen Rotunda
The forum will include the panel discussion, preceded by a reception with refreshments, a display of student artwork, and a free form canvas from a local Latina artist.
Join the Collins Memorial Library, Centro Latino, and members of the Latinos Unidos student group at the University of Puget Sound for a student-led panel discussion focusing on the Latino community in Tacoma. Meet individuals that help our local community thrive, hear personal narratives about the local Latino experience, and contribute to a dialogue about community issues, personal experiences, and cultural heritage.
Discussion Facilitated by:
Amanda Diaz, Politics and Government ‘18, Latino/a Studies minor
Andres Chavez, Sociology and Anthropology ‘18
Keao Rivera-Leong, Science, Technology, and Society ‘18
Samantha Suarez, Mathematics ‘18, Environmental Decision Making minor
Gaby Yoque, Computer Science and Art ‘16
Nic Bailon, Music ‘18
Meet the panelists
Miguel Anaya is 1st generation Mexican-American. Miguel worked as a farm laborer before coming to Seattle in 1957. Miguel was hired by Boeing, and was encouraged to finish school. Miguel got involved in the Chicano movement in the early 60’s. He worked alongside with Roberto Maestas, Ernie Aguilar and together (along with many others) opened Active Mexicanos in Seattle. He retired in 1994 from Hanford and now lives in Graham WA.
Rose Anaya Mednick is 2nd generation Mexican-American. She is a small business franchise owner in Tacoma at Image360 Graphics, Signs and Displays. Rose is a past board member for the Tacoma Pierce County Chamber of Commerce, a current ambassador with Tacoma Pierce County Chamber of Commerce, and a current board member at Centro Latino. Her passion is to support the local Hispanic community.
Rene Julio was born in Mexico City in 1972. He earned his Masters of Visual Arts degree at the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, specializing in Painting, under the tutoring of Luis Nizhizawa; Wood Printing, under the tutoring of Pedro Ascencio; and Mural Art, under the direction of Patricia Ouijano Belkin. Before migrating to the United States in 1998, he had several exhibits in Mexico City and Estado de Mexico. In Seattle, Rene has volunteered at Casa de Artes and Taller Mexicano Para La Cultura Y Las Artes, organizing the Día de Muertos celebration at Seattle Center for six years. Rene’s work focuses on mural art and he has created more than 30 murals in the Seattle area, including two at Washington Middle School. In 2015, Rene was selected as the Artist in Residence for Centro Latino’s Latin Art Festival and he created a monumental sand painting for Tacoma Art Museum’s Dia de Muertos celebration.
Born and raised in Pierce County, Olgy Diaz is the daughter of Guatemalan immigrants and a first generation college graduate. She graduated from the University of Washington Seattle where she earned dual bachelor’s degrees in Latin American Studies and Women’s Studies, along with a Spanish minor. Olgy has near 10 years’ experience in politics and government and currently serves the people of south Tacoma, east Lakewood, Parkland and Spanaway as a legislative assistant for State Representative David Sawyer. Prior to working in the House, Olgy worked off and on for over 6 years at Planned Parenthood, in the state Senate, interned in Washington, D.C., for Congressman Adam Smith and on numerous federal and local candidate campaigns in Tacoma since 2006. In 2013, Olgy ran a strong but ultimately unsuccessful campaign for Tacoma City Council position 5. Outside of work, Olgy currently serves on the Washington State Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission and the City of Tacoma’s Human Rights Commission.
Free Form Canvas by Blanca Santander
Originally from Peru, Blanca Santander has been a practicing artist, illustrator, and photographer since 1987. Since migrating to Seattle in 1996, Blanca has successfully bring Latino art to a wider audience with her solo shows, residencies, and participation in group exhibitions. In her artist’s statement, she writes “My paintings are intimate, spiritual and feminine…. Many of my paintings are related to the lives of remarkable women in history that share a common trait that is significant. I am inspired by the profound courage of these women in the face of danger. In a world dominated by men, any attempt to change the world for the better requires the inner strength found at the core of what makes a woman a warrior. It is my goal to be part of the collective conscience that we as a world would be better served by focusing on peace as opposed to war, love as opposed to hate, and acceptance as opposed to fear. In a way, that makes me a warrior.”
This event is presented in partnership with Tacoma Art Museum, Centro Latino, and Pacific Lutheran University. Programs are supported by Latino Americans: 500 Years of History, a nationwide public programming initiative produced by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and the American Library Association (ALA).
