The UW American Heritage Center (AHC) and the UW student organization Movimiento Estudiantíl Chicana/o de Azltán (MEChA) are hosting an exciting event on September 17 from 6:00 P.M to 8:00 P.M. at the AHC, which is located in the Centennial Complex, 2111 Willet Drive on the UW campus.  Join us in celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month and to kick-off the symposium, “Where Are We Now? Immigration Policy and Its Impact from a Wyoming and U.S. Perspective” (September 18, Hilton Garden Inn).

The event will open at 6:00 P.M. with time to allow everyone to settle in and enjoy the art display and music.  Snacks will be provided.  The artwork will speak to the immigration experience here in the United States.  The display will include Community Artist/Muralist Ruby Chacón’s famous piece, Trabajo Y Suenos En Todo Los Generaciones de Mestizaje en Wyoming (oil on canvas, 2006) that is part of the UW MEChA Collection.

Beginning at 6:30 P.M., five UW MEChA members will discuss how immigration has affected them either personally or through people they know.  The purpose of sharing these stories is to promote cultural awareness among community members in Laramie.  There will be an open Q&A session after the panel presentations.

At 7:30 P.M. there will be poetry readings by students – submissions will feature work done by fellow MEChA members.  Students will also read monologues about immigration written by Chicano authors.  A musical performance and a closing scene will round out the evening.  Please plan to join us!

-Norma Lira-Perez, UW student and member of MEChA