PADUCAH, KY (09/19/2018) Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. The month-long celebration includes a variety of events.
West Kentucky Community and Technical College will kick off its twelfth annual Hispanic Heritage celebration Monday, September 24 at 11 a.m. in the Student Center. The celebration is free and open to the public.
This year the local Qdoba restaurant is partnering with the event to present a hot taco bar throughout the celebration. St. Joseph's folkloric dance troupe will provide a variety of typical Mexican dance and the college's Paducah School of Art and Design (PSAD) students will lead attendees in the creation of sidewalk chalk tapetes (rugs,) to reflect the vivid tapetes signature to many cultural and religious events throughout Central and South America.
"We are thrilled to be able to collaborate with many people both on campus and in the community for this year's Hispanic Heritage Celebration." said WKCTC professor of Spanish and event coordinator.
The month-long celebration also includes other WKCTC activities that are also free and open to the public.
WKCTC Paducah School of Art and Design Display September 15-October 15 A selection of photographs by PSAD photography instructor Paul Aho, documenting nearly 35 years of travels throughout Central and South America. A passion for surfing and summers off from teaching duties led to adventures and photographic opportunities at often remote locations around the world. This selection of images documents scenes from the coastal regions of Peru, Chile, Equador, El Salvador, mainland Mexico and Baja del Sur.
PSAD Student Art and Design Club and Hispanic Culture Club Monday, October 8, 11 a.m., Student Center The clubs will join forces for two mask making and painting mini-workshops. Masks have been used for centuries in traditional dances, ceremonies and in celebrations such as Day of the Dead and Corpus Christi in Mexico and other parts of the Spanish-speaking world.
The following day on Tuesday, October 9 at 3:30 p.m. PSAD students will hold another mini-workshop on creating actual paper maché masks along with painting and decorating the masks. The event will be held at PSAD's 2D and Graphic Design Building, 905 Harrison Street.
Matheson Coffee Mondays - Café los lunes Monday, October 8 and 15 Visit the Matheson Library to view a display of Hispanic resources at the WKCTC campus and enjoy free coffee and Hispanic refreshments offered from 8 a.m. until noon.
For more information about the WKCTC Hispanic Heritage Celebration contact Carolyn Perry at (270) 534-3205 or carolyns.perry@kctcs.edu.