Teacher/artist/writer/poet Ximena Soza will lead ‘Day of the Dead’ programs and workshop at Dalton State.
“Dia de los Muertos” —Day of the Dead—the Latino holiday of remembrance for friends and family members who have died, will be recognized in programs and a workshop at Dalton State College Wednesday, Nov. 13.
Acclaimed teacher, artist, poet, and writer Ximena Soza will lead the presentations which will be free and open to the public.
“Dia de Los Muertos is one of the few celebrations known to Americans in regard to Hispanic and/or Latino cultures,” said Quincy Jenkins, director of Hispanic and Latino Outreach at Dalton State College. “With the substantial Spanish-speaking population now present in Dalton, it is important that we learn about and recognize this great day of remembrance is what matters most. As North Georgia continues to grow in its diversity, so must our appreciation and knowledge of various Latino cultures.”
Ms. Soza, a native of Chile, was driven to start teaching and creating by her experiences growing up in a country under the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet. Her work in multiple areas of art, literature, and education is always committed to social justice, whether it be in her stone carving, metal work, weaving, on stage, or in her poetry and fiction, Mr. Jenkins said.
A multi-talented individual, Ms. Soza has received numerous awards for her artwork and literary endeavors. In addition, she is a doctoral candidate at the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee in the program of Social Foundations in Education, where she is finishing her dissertation. As a student, she has received several scholarships and the UW-Milwaukee AOP fellowship during her three years there.
From 11 a.m.-1 p.m., and again from 6-8 p.m., the “Dia de los Muertos” presentation will involve a discussion of the historical, cultural, and social aspects of the holiday.
From 2-4 p.m., Ms. Soza will lead a workshop entitled “What does it mean to be a Latina/o in Dalton? Exploring Latina/o Identity Through Writing and Conversation.” The workshop will focus on public art and pop culture elements that are identified with Latina/o culture. Ms. Soza will also invite the participants of the discussion/workshop to share their own art pieces and explore ideas of how they would like to see their educational and professional settings represent Latinas/os.
The programs will take place in Room 105 of The James E. Brown Center at Dalton State College and are sponsored by The Bandy Heritage Center, Dr. Rene Antrop-Gonzalez, and the Latin American Student Organization of Dalton State College.
For more information, contact Quincy Jenkins at qjenkins@daltonstate.edu or 706 272-4573.