Reyna Garcia discusses her artwork during a Family Weekend event
highlighting the exhibition, 'A Single Thread: Being Latinx in West Michigan.'
Photo Credit:
Erik Holladay-McCann
Participants take items to make a collage after listening to artist
Reyna Garcia. The Family Weekend event was held in the Haas Center for
Performing Arts; it highlights the GVSU Arts Celebration exhibition 'A
Single Thread: Being Latinx in West Michigan.'
Photo Credit:
Erik Holladay-McCann
The Small Business Market hosted more than 20 student entrepreneurs
during Family Weekend.
Photo Credit:
Samantha Drougel
Laker students and their families connected during Family Weekend
events September 20-22, including at an artist chat and workshop and a
Small Business Market.
Artist Reyna Garcia led a discussion and workshop in the Haas Center
for Performing Arts as part of the GVSU Arts Celebration exhibition
"A Single Thread: Being Latinx in West Michigan."
Garcia presented pieces from her collection that tell the story of
immigration to the United States.
“I express how important it is for me to talk about cultural
identity,” said Garcia.
She stressed the importance of talking about immigration and not
being afraid to discuss the barriers immigrants face. In one of her
pieces, Garcia used light to represent people in the United States who
welcome immigrants. “They represent the hope that one day this country
is going to welcome immigrants and legalize them,” she said.
Students and their families participated in a collage project with
Garcia where the goal was to express their cultural identity.
Megan Ferenczhalmy, a first-year student, said, “I have the words
'connect,' 'collaborate' and 'contribute,' and I think that is what
art is about: connecting with others.”
Small Business Market More than 20 student-led business owners participated in a market
held in a tent on the Kirkhof Center lawn. Many students said they
started their businesses as a hobby.
Jewelry maker Ariana Kramjic said she enjoyed selling to a targeted
audience. “I got more of my niche — young college students in their
20s — and I wouldn’t get that at another craft show,” said Ariana
Kramjic, a graduate student majoring in social work.
The vice president for People, Equity, and Culture discusses his initial impressions of GVSU, one hobby and how he plans to bring awareness to the new division.
Through the partnership, people who earned a MIOSHA certificate can earn college credits toward a bachelor's degree in occupational safety and health management.