January 31, 2025 • 21 mins
Unlock the cultural richness and transformative power of art with Estefania, the dynamic new executive director of the Hispanic American Association of Delaware (HAD). Estefania shares her compelling vision of empowering Latino families through art and culture, revealing the heartbeat of community programs that celebrate heritage and foster belonging. From the vibrant Folkloric Ballet that educates and entertains with traditional Mexican dances to the inclusive nature of HAD's initiatives, listeners will gain insight into how these artistic expressions become a thriving source of pride and connection.
Join the conversation as we explore the profound impact of HAD's diverse offerings, like the spirited Fiesta en el Jardin and the therapeutic Amarte initiative. Learn how these programs not only enhance cultural pride but also promote healing and empathy within the community. With an exciting array of year-round events, including the much-anticipated Day of the Dead festival, Estefania's leadership promises to keep the spirit of unity and celebration alive. Don't miss out on this opportunity to discover how art can empower and unite communities in remarkable ways.
The Delaware Division of the Arts, a branch of the Delaware Department of State, is committed to supporting the arts and cultivating creativity to enhance the quality of life in Delaware. Together with its advisory body, the Delaware State Arts Council, the Division administers grants and programs that support arts programming, educate the public, increase awareness of the arts, and integrate the arts into all facets of Delaware life. Learn more at Arts.Delaware.Gov.
Delaware State of the Arts is a weekly podcast that presents interviews with arts organizations and leaders who contribute to the cultural vibrancy of communities throughout Delaware. Delaware State of the Arts is provided as a service of the Division of the Arts, in partnership with NEWSRADIO 1450 WILM and 1410 WDOV.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:25):
For Delaware State of the Arts.
I'm Quinn Kirkpatrick.
The Hispanic AmericanAssociation, located in
Wilmington, was founded with thegoal of helping Latino families
in Delaware thrive.
One of the ways they do that isthrough art.
Today you'll hear from theirnew executive director, who
shares details on some of HAD'srecent performances in the
community and explains why artplays such a big role in
(00:48):
achieving their organization'smission.
Speaker 2 (00:50):
My name is Estefania and I am the new executive
director at the HispanicAmerican Association of Delaware
, and I do a little bit ofeverything.
Speaker 1 (01:00):
So what is your mission over at the Hispanic
American Association?
Speaker 2 (01:04):
providing wellness, educational and community
support.
We also forge strongcollaborations through grants
(01:30):
and organizations that connectwith underserved communities to
vital local resources andservice providers.
Like I said, we emphasize a loton the Hispanic and Latino
communities to ensure that ourapproaches are culturally
relevant and sensitive.
All of the staff here at HATITare I don't want to say all of
(01:52):
it, but most of it is first-timeimmigrants.
So we can all relate, includingmyself.
We can all relate to thecommunities that we are serving
and ultimately, at the end, wejust want to help them build a
brighter future.
We don't want to handeverything to them, but we want
to empower them and help themgrow and thrive so they can be
(02:14):
successful.
So how do you think arts andculture play a role in helping
Hispanic and Latino Delawareansthrive Well it creates a sense
of belonging, first of all, andthrough the programs that we
offer, which is Valle Fulgorico,and we had at some point
tropical dances.
So we do focus a lot on dancingbecause of the wellness and the
(02:35):
overall impact that it has on aperson's well-being, so it
helps them stay connected to theroots, to their heritage.
For example, at thePalafolgórico we have two
separate classes, one forchildren and one for adults, and
so the adults help the children, kind of stay connected, kind
(02:58):
of not forget about theirbackground, and although they're
not born in their parents'countries, and although they're
not born in their parents'countries, they can still feel
like they belong to thatcommunity and that culture.
Speaker 1 (03:11):
That's amazing.
Could you actually tell me alittle bit more about the
Folkloric Ballet?
Speaker 2 (03:17):
Mexico.
Lindo is this vibrant dancegroup dedicated to showcase the
rich cultural heritage of Mexico, specifically Mexico, through
traditional dance, and this istraditional dance.
We don't really dance like this.
We don't use the garments thatwe use for presentations.
(03:41):
This is a traditional dance,though presentations.
This is a traditional dance,though, and our performances are
not only to entertain, but italso educates audiences about
the diverse customs andhistories that shape our
cultural identity, and, byparticipating in community
events and festivals, we fosterappreciation for Hispanic
(04:03):
culture and we put pride in ourroots while performing and
promoting cultural exchange andunderstanding.
Speaker 1 (04:12):
And so you're a part of this group?
Yes, I am.
Would you mind sharing what ithas been like to be a part of
this group?
Just your personal experience,maybe some of the highlights,
some of the things that you'vegotten out of it definitely the
sense of belonging.
Speaker 2 (04:26):
Uh, and it's just the way I describe Alepho Córico
it's it's a large group andwe're very united, and I love
dancing, so it's like acombination of all the things
that I love in in one group andthe experience has been
phenomenal.
I love dancing and justspending time with them and
(04:52):
practice and our instructor,which is Aurora Collin.
She's very patient, she has aform of teaching that it's very
simple but you can understandeasily, and she's very
passionate about what she does.
So definitely she has been agreat help, not just for me but
(05:13):
for the whole group.
And then going out to thisevent schools and just having
them ask us questions about oh,where's this dance from?
Because it is, but we do havenine regions, so every state has
its own custom, its own likesteps, and it's just me.
(05:37):
It was also a learningexperience, because I knew they
existed but I was not sure whichone belonged to what.
Because I knew they existed butI was not sure which one
belonged to what.
So it's just been a greatexperience for me.
Speaker 1 (05:49):
That sounds so cool.
And the fact that you've beensmiling the whole time you've
been talking about this thatjust speaks volumes.
That's just so amazing.
Speaker 2 (05:59):
Yeah, we invite everyone.
You know, you don't have to beMexican, you don't have to be a
specific age.
We actually have toddlers, likewe have two groups.
Like I said, it's one foradults and one for children, but
the children ones has to bedivided in two groups because
there's so many and we havelittle kids.
(06:19):
I want to say I think theyoungest is two or three, and
then our oldest participant iseight, in her 70s I'm not sure
the correct age, but she's inher 70s.
So this is like an old age,literally, and every background.
We've had people from Argentina, we've had people from here in
(06:40):
the United States who have noHispanic background, who have
joined and they've stayed andthey have also learned a lot
from us and a lot of Spanish.
Speaker 1 (06:53):
That's just amazing, and I believe that you have a
Day of the Dead festival comingup very soon.
Is this an event that HAD putson so?
Speaker 2 (07:03):
this is an event in collaboration with Mon Cuba,
cuba, and had they collaborateto create this Dia de los
Muertos event, which also we didit strategically to be towards
the end of Hispanic HeritageMonth, so it's kind of a
combination of both things, andso we do this annually.
(07:25):
This is going to be third orfourth year, I cannot remember
and obviously dance plays acentral role in this festival,
with performances from ourfolkloric dance group, which is
the highlight of the event.
But we also have a Hispanicfestival cannot be a Hispanic
festival without music.
(07:46):
So we do have live music.
We have a mariachi that playsand we do like an immersion of
mariachi and the folkloric dance.
They play two or three songsand we dance to the mariachi
music, usually from the state ofJalisco, which is where
(08:06):
mariachi originates from.
And then, in addition to that,we usually have crafts.
We ask people if this isoptional, but if they want to,
they can put on a catrina orsugar skull mask or makeup.
We do have a person who does,who paints faces.
It's it's more towards children, but but I've seen some adults
(08:30):
do it.
I do it all the time.
It's fine, it's a fun thing todo and it's for all ages, all
backgrounds.
It's just for us to againshowcase our culture and connect
with other communities.
We want to make this diverse.
Speaker 1 (08:45):
So you mentioned that dance is a really big part of
it, music is a really big partof it.
Are there any other forms ofart that are incorporated into
this festival?
Speaker 2 (08:56):
Oh yes.
So in Dia de los Muertos we puton an altar an offering we call
it ofrenda which is basicallyputting on a picture of your
loved ones who have passed away,and we also incorporate their
favorite foods, some water ifthey like, tequila, salt and
(09:23):
decorations like sugar skullsand other very bright and
colorful decorations.
So that's also one other thing.
And some years we've had anartist come in and I don't know
how to explain this in English,but it's kind of like a carpet
made out of sand.
She did one time a Katrina, andKatrina is a sugar skull, and
(09:49):
she did that with sand, so likedifferent color sands, and she
did it.
It's not a carpet I don't knowwhat it's called, but it looks
like a carpet made out of sand.
Speaker 1 (10:06):
I feel like I can picture it and it sounds really
cool and it's just somethingthat we do also in Mexico.
Speaker 2 (10:13):
Sometimes it's out of sand, Acerrin, which is I don't
know how to say that in English, but it's like wood, like
colored wood or also withflowers.
We do it with flowers, so it'slike different materials that
you can use, but ultimately it'sjust a carpet and it's very
beautiful.
(10:33):
I've seen a lot of videos fromother states in Mexico and
they're huge.
This is a smaller version ofthat.
I've also seen it.
I think they did one in at theDelaware Art Museum last year
and that's like one of thethings that we do that is art
related.
Speaker 1 (10:50):
That sounds so cool and I feel like I, of the things
that we do that is art related.
That sounds so cool and I feellike I'm picturing it correctly,
but it also just sounds likesomething that would be amazing
to see in person.
And switching gears here alittle bit and you already spoke
on this throughout ourconversation but how do you
think that art helps somebodybuild a sense of pride in their
(11:12):
culture and in their community?
Speaker 2 (11:15):
So art is definitely a powerful tool for building
pride in a person's culture andcommunity.
It has been for me and throughparticipation, for example, and
(11:53):
for dance and other culturalexpressions, feel connected to
their in this case their Mexicanculture.
Or they had some comments youknow, because you're not born in
Mexico, you're not Hispanic,and blah, blah, blah.
But them being in that groupdancing those songs, it gave
them a sense of belonging.
I belong to this community, Ibelong to these songs, to these
(12:15):
dances, and it just gives themalso self-worth and reinforces
their self-identity andcommunity connection.
Some were isolated, they feltsome type of way, but this group
helped them and we take a lotof pride in that because we're
like, if we, if we change thelife of one kid and in this case
(12:37):
it was multiple kids it makesus feel like this is worth it,
like we're donating our timeAurora donates her time and it's
just worth it at the end.
But when people share theirculture through art, it creates
opportunities for understandingand appreciation, fostering
(12:58):
pride with both individuals andtheir communities.
Speaker 1 (13:04):
And do you have a favorite way that you engage in
art, whether that's throughmusic, dance, painting, anything
you?
Speaker 2 (13:11):
engage in art, whether that's through music,
dance, painting, anything.
I enjoy all forms of art, butit definitely, definitely,
definitely dance, for mepersonally, is my, you know, my
favorite kind of art, myfavorite kind of art is
definitely dance.
I'm also a sumo instructor, so,and I've danced my whole life.
(13:32):
I cannot remember a time whereI went to a party and I did not
dance, even if it was notHispanic.
I, I've.
If there's music, I'll bedancing, and I I asked my
friends to join in all the crazydancing things that I do.
I always involve my friends, mycommunity, because this is a
(13:53):
fun way to exercise, to stay ina group, to, like I said, stay
connected to your roots, yourheritage.
It's all in one for me, justdancing.
And all kinds of dancing, notjust folkloric, I enjoy.
We had at some point, like Isaid, tropical dancing, which it
(14:16):
was actually funded by theDivision of Art, Thank you.
And we dance bachata, which isfrom Dominican Republic.
We dance merengue, we dancesalsa, which is very popular.
All kinds of dancing, I justlove it, I love it.
And at some point we alsocollaborated with the Indian
(14:39):
American Association of Delawareand we did a presentation there
for for Zumba that time, but westayed because they were
dancing.
I think it was Bollywood and itwas just so.
It's like I saw us reflected inthem, but in their own culture
and heritage.
And I took my sister with methat time and she was like, oh,
(15:05):
I go to school with that girland I'm like it's crazy how
you're involved here at theHispanic American Association of
Delaware and she's in her ownorganization and we are here
together, like this brought ustogether.
Dancing brought us together.
And it just blows my mind everytime, because I've had so many
experiences similar to that onewhere I'm like wow, like it's
(15:28):
amazing, honestly.
Speaker 1 (15:30):
That is amazing.
That just sounds like such abeautiful moment to be able to
experience.
That's awesome.
Now, are there any otherprograms or events that you'd
like to share from yourorganization?
Speaker 2 (15:44):
Besides Fiesta en el Jardin, I always invite people
to our classes.
We also offer Zumba here.
So we have Zumba every day,monday to Friday, 9 am to 10 am,
and then Monday through Friday,7 pm through 8 pm, and then
(16:05):
monday through friday, uh 7 pmthrough 8 pm and then our
folkloric dancing group, theadult group, we practice every
tuesday at garfield recreationalcenter not just garfield park
and for children is everythursday there's a class at five
and then one at six, and all ofthis is free thanks to our
(16:26):
instructors who donate theirtime, and not always.
Sometimes we do have grants andwe're always looking for grants
and organizations.
Who wants to donate, but we dohave that and we also had at
some point this club.
It's called amarte and it's a agame of words amarte, amar it's
(16:50):
to love they, and but amarte isto love yourself, right?
So this, this is a group umwhere adults could heal their
inner child or their innertraumas, their inner selves,
through art.
So we had a person who guidedthem and talked to them and kind
(17:12):
of helped them heal and likelook back without them hurting.
And it was amazing we had, wewere very successful, it was a
great group and it was verydiverse and it was amazing.
We were very successful.
It was a great group and it wasvery diverse and it was very
emotional, but it created thissmall community of people who
(17:33):
now knew each other in adifferent way, where they
created some empathy and it wasbeautiful.
Just art itself is just nice.
It's beautiful.
I love art.
Speaker 1 (17:46):
And that is a great segue into my next question,
which is something that, again,we've kind of talked about it
throughout this conversation.
But what do you think the linkis between art and community?
Speaker 2 (17:58):
So the link between art and community is very
profound.
I think Art, like I mentioned,it's like a bridge right, and it
brings people together to sharetheir experiences, like in
Amarte, they literally sharetheir experiences.
And then we also celebratediversity with dancing and we
(18:23):
foster understanding.
So, through artistic expression, communities can strengthen
their bonds.
We definitely, I know in elballet folklórico México lindo,
we have bonded children andadults, and also in Zumba.
Oh my God, you have to come toone of the classes because
(18:44):
you're going to see the like.
It's like if they've known eachother for years and some of
them are new and every time Ijoin them they just talk to each
other like like they've knowneach other their whole life.
It's just, I love it.
And it's all backgrounds andit's not just Hispanic people
who have joiner classes.
Like I said, it's it's verydiverse, it's a very diverse
(19:06):
group, so it can strengthentheir bond, it promotes
inclusion and it buildsresilience.
Definitely, and additionally,cross-cultural arts initiatives
can create opportunities fordialogue and collaboration, like
(19:26):
I had mentioned with the otherassociation.
It enhances mutual respect andappreciation among different
cultural groups and, ultimately,arts have the power to
strengthen communities bycreating shared experiences that
unite us in our diversity.
Definitely, definitely,definitely so.
Art is a language that everyonecan speak.
Speaker 1 (19:50):
Wow, that was a beautiful answer, and now those
are all of my formal questionsfor you, but I'd like to give
you a chance to speak onanything that we didn't get a
chance to talk about today.
Speaker 2 (20:00):
I'm just so grateful for all of the programs that we
have been able to have and allthe groups and bonds that have
been able to we've been able tocreate or help create, because,
like I said, in our mission,this is our mission to empower
(20:20):
everyone who comes here at theHispanic American Association of
Delaware, and I feel like thesegroups, these programs, have
fulfilled that mission.
And I don't know, I just loveit.
Speaker 1 (20:34):
I love it all, and your love of it truly speaks
volumes, because you've told meabout all of these amazing
programs and opportunities thatyou offer over at HAD, but the
fact that you love them so much,really just it says a lot about
it, and that's amazing.
Yes, thank you.
Thank you so much.
While HAD's Dia de los Muertosevent has already passed, they
(20:58):
have programming year-round.
If you'd like to be involved orsee one of their performances,
make sure to follow them onsocial media to see what's
coming up next.
Bye.
For Delaware State of the Arts.
I'm Quinn Kirkpatrick.
The Hispanic AmericanAssociation, located in
Wilmington, was founded with thegoal of helping Latino families
in Delaware thrive.
One of the ways they do that isthrough art.
Today you'll hear from theirnew executive director, who
shares details on some of HAD'srecent performances in the
community and explains why artplays such a big role in
(00:48):
achieving their organization'smission.
Speaker 2 (00:50):
My name is Estefania and I am the new executive
director at the HispanicAmerican Association of Delaware
, and I do a little bit ofeverything.
Speaker 1 (01:00):
So what is your mission over at the Hispanic
American Association?
Speaker 2 (01:04):
providing wellness, educational and community
support.
We also forge strongcollaborations through grants
(01:30):
and organizations that connectwith underserved communities to
vital local resources andservice providers.
Like I said, we emphasize a loton the Hispanic and Latino
communities to ensure that ourapproaches are culturally
relevant and sensitive.
All of the staff here at HATITare I don't want to say all of
(01:52):
it, but most of it is first-timeimmigrants.
So we can all relate, includingmyself.
We can all relate to thecommunities that we are serving
and ultimately, at the end, wejust want to help them build a
brighter future.
We don't want to handeverything to them, but we want
to empower them and help themgrow and thrive so they can be
(02:14):
successful.
So how do you think arts andculture play a role in helping
Hispanic and Latino Delawareansthrive Well it creates a sense
of belonging, first of all, andthrough the programs that we
offer, which is Valle Fulgorico,and we had at some point
tropical dances.
So we do focus a lot on dancingbecause of the wellness and the
(02:35):
overall impact that it has on aperson's well-being, so it
helps them stay connected to theroots, to their heritage.
For example, at thePalafolgórico we have two
separate classes, one forchildren and one for adults, and
so the adults help the children, kind of stay connected, kind
(02:58):
of not forget about theirbackground, and although they're
not born in their parents'countries, and although they're
not born in their parents'countries, they can still feel
like they belong to thatcommunity and that culture.
Speaker 1 (03:11):
That's amazing.
Could you actually tell me alittle bit more about the
Folkloric Ballet?
Speaker 2 (03:17):
Mexico.
Lindo is this vibrant dancegroup dedicated to showcase the
rich cultural heritage of Mexico, specifically Mexico, through
traditional dance, and this istraditional dance.
We don't really dance like this.
We don't use the garments thatwe use for presentations.
(03:41):
This is a traditional dance,though presentations.
This is a traditional dance,though, and our performances are
not only to entertain, but italso educates audiences about
the diverse customs andhistories that shape our
cultural identity, and, byparticipating in community
events and festivals, we fosterappreciation for Hispanic
(04:03):
culture and we put pride in ourroots while performing and
promoting cultural exchange andunderstanding.
Speaker 1 (04:12):
And so you're a part of this group?
Yes, I am.
Would you mind sharing what ithas been like to be a part of
this group?
Just your personal experience,maybe some of the highlights,
some of the things that you'vegotten out of it definitely the
sense of belonging.
Speaker 2 (04:26):
Uh, and it's just the way I describe Alepho Córico
it's it's a large group andwe're very united, and I love
dancing, so it's like acombination of all the things
that I love in in one group andthe experience has been
phenomenal.
I love dancing and justspending time with them and
(04:52):
practice and our instructor,which is Aurora Collin.
She's very patient, she has aform of teaching that it's very
simple but you can understandeasily, and she's very
passionate about what she does.
So definitely she has been agreat help, not just for me but
(05:13):
for the whole group.
And then going out to thisevent schools and just having
them ask us questions about oh,where's this dance from?
Because it is, but we do havenine regions, so every state has
its own custom, its own likesteps, and it's just me.
(05:37):
It was also a learningexperience, because I knew they
existed but I was not sure whichone belonged to what.
Because I knew they existed butI was not sure which one
belonged to what.
So it's just been a greatexperience for me.
Speaker 1 (05:49):
That sounds so cool.
And the fact that you've beensmiling the whole time you've
been talking about this thatjust speaks volumes.
That's just so amazing.
Speaker 2 (05:59):
Yeah, we invite everyone.
You know, you don't have to beMexican, you don't have to be a
specific age.
We actually have toddlers, likewe have two groups.
Like I said, it's one foradults and one for children, but
the children ones has to bedivided in two groups because
there's so many and we havelittle kids.
(06:19):
I want to say I think theyoungest is two or three, and
then our oldest participant iseight, in her 70s I'm not sure
the correct age, but she's inher 70s.
So this is like an old age,literally, and every background.
We've had people from Argentina, we've had people from here in
(06:40):
the United States who have noHispanic background, who have
joined and they've stayed andthey have also learned a lot
from us and a lot of Spanish.
Speaker 1 (06:53):
That's just amazing, and I believe that you have a
Day of the Dead festival comingup very soon.
Is this an event that HAD putson so?
Speaker 2 (07:03):
this is an event in collaboration with Mon Cuba,
cuba, and had they collaborateto create this Dia de los
Muertos event, which also we didit strategically to be towards
the end of Hispanic HeritageMonth, so it's kind of a
combination of both things, andso we do this annually.
(07:25):
This is going to be third orfourth year, I cannot remember
and obviously dance plays acentral role in this festival,
with performances from ourfolkloric dance group, which is
the highlight of the event.
But we also have a Hispanicfestival cannot be a Hispanic
festival without music.
(07:46):
So we do have live music.
We have a mariachi that playsand we do like an immersion of
mariachi and the folkloric dance.
They play two or three songsand we dance to the mariachi
music, usually from the state ofJalisco, which is where
(08:06):
mariachi originates from.
And then, in addition to that,we usually have crafts.
We ask people if this isoptional, but if they want to,
they can put on a catrina orsugar skull mask or makeup.
We do have a person who does,who paints faces.
It's it's more towards children, but but I've seen some adults
(08:30):
do it.
I do it all the time.
It's fine, it's a fun thing todo and it's for all ages, all
backgrounds.
It's just for us to againshowcase our culture and connect
with other communities.
We want to make this diverse.
Speaker 1 (08:45):
So you mentioned that dance is a really big part of
it, music is a really big partof it.
Are there any other forms ofart that are incorporated into
this festival?
Speaker 2 (08:56):
Oh yes.
So in Dia de los Muertos we puton an altar an offering we call
it ofrenda which is basicallyputting on a picture of your
loved ones who have passed away,and we also incorporate their
favorite foods, some water ifthey like, tequila, salt and
(09:23):
decorations like sugar skullsand other very bright and
colorful decorations.
So that's also one other thing.
And some years we've had anartist come in and I don't know
how to explain this in English,but it's kind of like a carpet
made out of sand.
She did one time a Katrina, andKatrina is a sugar skull, and
(09:49):
she did that with sand, so likedifferent color sands, and she
did it.
It's not a carpet I don't knowwhat it's called, but it looks
like a carpet made out of sand.
Speaker 1 (10:06):
I feel like I can picture it and it sounds really
cool and it's just somethingthat we do also in Mexico.
Speaker 2 (10:13):
Sometimes it's out of sand, Acerrin, which is I don't
know how to say that in English, but it's like wood, like
colored wood or also withflowers.
We do it with flowers, so it'slike different materials that
you can use, but ultimately it'sjust a carpet and it's very
beautiful.
(10:33):
I've seen a lot of videos fromother states in Mexico and
they're huge.
This is a smaller version ofthat.
I've also seen it.
I think they did one in at theDelaware Art Museum last year
and that's like one of thethings that we do that is art
related.
Speaker 1 (10:50):
That sounds so cool and I feel like I, of the things
that we do that is art related.
That sounds so cool and I feellike I'm picturing it correctly,
but it also just sounds likesomething that would be amazing
to see in person.
And switching gears here alittle bit and you already spoke
on this throughout ourconversation but how do you
think that art helps somebodybuild a sense of pride in their
(11:12):
culture and in their community?
Speaker 2 (11:15):
So art is definitely a powerful tool for building
pride in a person's culture andcommunity.
It has been for me and throughparticipation, for example, and
(11:53):
for dance and other culturalexpressions, feel connected to
their in this case their Mexicanculture.
Or they had some comments youknow, because you're not born in
Mexico, you're not Hispanic,and blah, blah, blah.
But them being in that groupdancing those songs, it gave
them a sense of belonging.
I belong to this community, Ibelong to these songs, to these
(12:15):
dances, and it just gives themalso self-worth and reinforces
their self-identity andcommunity connection.
Some were isolated, they feltsome type of way, but this group
helped them and we take a lotof pride in that because we're
like, if we, if we change thelife of one kid and in this case
(12:37):
it was multiple kids it makesus feel like this is worth it,
like we're donating our timeAurora donates her time and it's
just worth it at the end.
But when people share theirculture through art, it creates
opportunities for understandingand appreciation, fostering
(12:58):
pride with both individuals andtheir communities.
Speaker 1 (13:04):
And do you have a favorite way that you engage in
art, whether that's throughmusic, dance, painting, anything
you?
Speaker 2 (13:11):
engage in art, whether that's through music,
dance, painting, anything.
I enjoy all forms of art, butit definitely, definitely,
definitely dance, for mepersonally, is my, you know, my
favorite kind of art, myfavorite kind of art is
definitely dance.
I'm also a sumo instructor, so,and I've danced my whole life.
(13:32):
I cannot remember a time whereI went to a party and I did not
dance, even if it was notHispanic.
I, I've.
If there's music, I'll bedancing, and I I asked my
friends to join in all the crazydancing things that I do.
I always involve my friends, mycommunity, because this is a
(13:53):
fun way to exercise, to stay ina group, to, like I said, stay
connected to your roots, yourheritage.
It's all in one for me, justdancing.
And all kinds of dancing, notjust folkloric, I enjoy.
We had at some point, like Isaid, tropical dancing, which it
(14:16):
was actually funded by theDivision of Art, Thank you.
And we dance bachata, which isfrom Dominican Republic.
We dance merengue, we dancesalsa, which is very popular.
All kinds of dancing, I justlove it, I love it.
And at some point we alsocollaborated with the Indian
(14:39):
American Association of Delawareand we did a presentation there
for for Zumba that time, but westayed because they were
dancing.
I think it was Bollywood and itwas just so.
It's like I saw us reflected inthem, but in their own culture
and heritage.
And I took my sister with methat time and she was like, oh,
(15:05):
I go to school with that girland I'm like it's crazy how
you're involved here at theHispanic American Association of
Delaware and she's in her ownorganization and we are here
together, like this brought ustogether.
Dancing brought us together.
And it just blows my mind everytime, because I've had so many
experiences similar to that onewhere I'm like wow, like it's
(15:28):
amazing, honestly.
Speaker 1 (15:30):
That is amazing.
That just sounds like such abeautiful moment to be able to
experience.
That's awesome.
Now, are there any otherprograms or events that you'd
like to share from yourorganization?
Speaker 2 (15:44):
Besides Fiesta en el Jardin, I always invite people
to our classes.
We also offer Zumba here.
So we have Zumba every day,monday to Friday, 9 am to 10 am,
and then Monday through Friday,7 pm through 8 pm, and then
(16:05):
monday through friday, uh 7 pmthrough 8 pm and then our
folkloric dancing group, theadult group, we practice every
tuesday at garfield recreationalcenter not just garfield park
and for children is everythursday there's a class at five
and then one at six, and all ofthis is free thanks to our
(16:26):
instructors who donate theirtime, and not always.
Sometimes we do have grants andwe're always looking for grants
and organizations.
Who wants to donate, but we dohave that and we also had at
some point this club.
It's called amarte and it's a agame of words amarte, amar it's
(16:50):
to love they, and but amarte isto love yourself, right?
So this, this is a group umwhere adults could heal their
inner child or their innertraumas, their inner selves,
through art.
So we had a person who guidedthem and talked to them and kind
(17:12):
of helped them heal and likelook back without them hurting.
And it was amazing we had, wewere very successful, it was a
great group and it was verydiverse and it was amazing.
We were very successful.
It was a great group and it wasvery diverse and it was very
emotional, but it created thissmall community of people who
(17:33):
now knew each other in adifferent way, where they
created some empathy and it wasbeautiful.
Just art itself is just nice.
It's beautiful.
I love art.
Speaker 1 (17:46):
And that is a great segue into my next question,
which is something that, again,we've kind of talked about it
throughout this conversation.
But what do you think the linkis between art and community?
Speaker 2 (17:58):
So the link between art and community is very
profound.
I think Art, like I mentioned,it's like a bridge right, and it
brings people together to sharetheir experiences, like in
Amarte, they literally sharetheir experiences.
And then we also celebratediversity with dancing and we
(18:23):
foster understanding.
So, through artistic expression, communities can strengthen
their bonds.
We definitely, I know in elballet folklórico México lindo,
we have bonded children andadults, and also in Zumba.
Oh my God, you have to come toone of the classes because
(18:44):
you're going to see the like.
It's like if they've known eachother for years and some of
them are new and every time Ijoin them they just talk to each
other like like they've knowneach other their whole life.
It's just, I love it.
And it's all backgrounds andit's not just Hispanic people
who have joiner classes.
Like I said, it's it's verydiverse, it's a very diverse
(19:06):
group, so it can strengthentheir bond, it promotes
inclusion and it buildsresilience.
Definitely, and additionally,cross-cultural arts initiatives
can create opportunities fordialogue and collaboration, like
(19:26):
I had mentioned with the otherassociation.
It enhances mutual respect andappreciation among different
cultural groups and, ultimately,arts have the power to
strengthen communities bycreating shared experiences that
unite us in our diversity.
Definitely, definitely,definitely so.
Art is a language that everyonecan speak.
Speaker 1 (19:50):
Wow, that was a beautiful answer, and now those
are all of my formal questionsfor you, but I'd like to give
you a chance to speak onanything that we didn't get a
chance to talk about today.
Speaker 2 (20:00):
I'm just so grateful for all of the programs that we
have been able to have and allthe groups and bonds that have
been able to we've been able tocreate or help create, because,
like I said, in our mission,this is our mission to empower
(20:20):
everyone who comes here at theHispanic American Association of
Delaware, and I feel like thesegroups, these programs, have
fulfilled that mission.
And I don't know, I just loveit.
Speaker 1 (20:34):
I love it all, and your love of it truly speaks
volumes, because you've told meabout all of these amazing
programs and opportunities thatyou offer over at HAD, but the
fact that you love them so much,really just it says a lot about
it, and that's amazing.
Yes, thank you.
Thank you so much.
While HAD's Dia de los Muertosevent has already passed, they
(20:58):
have programming year-round.
If you'd like to be involved orsee one of their performances,
make sure to follow them onsocial media to see what's
coming up next.
Bye.
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