New Library Exhibit Celebrates APIDA Communities

New Library Exhibit Celebrates APIDA Communities

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Three years ago, a group of Cal State San Marcos professors and staff members received grant funding that established a project to bring greater visibility to Asian, Pacific Islander and Desi American (APIDA) communities that have been underserved, overlooked and faced discrimination.

Now, as the grant period nears an end, that project - called Unifying APIDA Communities Together, or U-ACT - has partnered with the University Library to bring its work and its culture to the campus community.

The library's Context Exhibit Seriesthis semester is titled "Wayfinding Community-Campus Vā." It's a mixed-media collection that, according to the website description, "imagines how an 'oceanic orientation' promotes cultural education, sustains community relationships and engagements, and advances social justice. With a basis in the ancient foundation of Austronesian language families, Vā is 'connecting space' that link islands and ocean together as an interconnected worldview."

The collection includes traditional wooden instruments, a double-hulled canoe, community-created murals, linguistic maps and a series of language and cultural workshop videos. It's on display in the library's third-floor exhibit space through July 31.

"Partnering (with the library) on community outreach was an easy decision on our end," said Theresa Suarez, a sociology professor who's the project director and principal investigator for U-ACT."Our goal is to create greater alignment between campus resources and community engagement, especially through the Stop the Hate grant program, to support recruitment and outreach - that indeed public higher education opportunities are available for all."

A reception celebrating the spring context exhibit will be held Thursday, March 5 from 5-7 p.m. on the library's third floor and Kellogg Plaza. It will feature a performance by the CSUSM student organization Pāsefika Islander Scholar Association(PISA), live mural creation by a local artist, live music and multiple speakers.

Anyone is welcome to attend, with no RSVP needed. Attendees will be invited to provide feedback by contributing to a large paper lei, created with the guidance and support of The Makeryin the library.

In addition to Suarez, other members of the U-ACT team who curated the exhibit are Grant Muāgututi'a, co-investigator and assistant professor of liberal studies and linguistics; Madeline Lee, co-investigator and professor of social work; Sara Constantinescu, project coordinator and Academic Senate analyst; Lia Mauga, community liaison and director of TRIO pre-college programs; Joshua Galea'i, community liaison and senior adviser in the Office of Academic Advising; and Cheryl Landin, director of strategic initiatives in the Office of Inclusive Excellence.

Through U-ACT, CSUSM has partnering with various nonprofit organizations to help them offer free intervention and prevention services in communities and neighborhoods within the university's service area. Two of the most prominent are 'Umeke, which is dedicated to the preservation, perpetuation and education of Hawaiian culture; and Save Our Streets(SOS), which focuses on reducing community violence by engaging all Oceanside youth through athletics and performing arts within a context of Samoan cultural values to promote healh, wellness, healing and safety.

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