SVSU’s Office of Multicultural Student Affairs (OMSA) kicked off Hispanic Heritage Month with an event at Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum Sept. 16, 2026.
The event showcased live musical performances and an art exhibit along with an alumni meet-and-greet, and marked the start of a celebration at SVSU for National Hispanic Heritage Month. SVSU’s celebration lasts until Nov. 3, 2026, and will include a variety of events, such as salsa dancing, tortilla making, arts and crafts, game nights, and food.
Running from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, National Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates the culture, history, and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.
Sept. 15 marks the day that five Latin American countries gained independence, with Mexico and Chile following in the days after. National Hispanic Heritage observations began in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week, but were expanded to a month in 1988.
Returning to SVSU for the event, Roxanne Chantaca, an alumna of SVSU, gave a live mariachi performance. Mariachi is a style of folk music originating in Mexico. There was also music provided by DJ Ro with RC Entertainment.
“The food is amazing, the music is amazing,” Oudom Koy, a freshman in computer science, said. “I think the fountain makes everything even better.”
The main seating area was placed just outside the Marshall Fredericks Museum, with the Night and Day Fountain in full view.
Those attending the event had access to the new art exhibit within the museum. The new exhibit “The Lowriders: From Detroit to L.A. and Back” features lowrider culture, with a focus on its historical presence in Detroit.
Lowriding gained its popularity in the 1930s among Mexican-American youth in Los Angeles and was a source of pride and expression among many. The cars that were used for traditional lowriders were designed and built in Detroit, but were sent around the world.
In the exhibit, Erik Paul Howard presents over twenty years of photography, personal narratives, and more to provide an immersive look into lowrider culture. He features cities like Detroit, Chicago, and Los Angeles, and focuses on connections within communities and families.
“The exhibit showcases a part of Hispanic heritage,” said Olivia Mullins, a student worker at the Marshall M. Fredericks Museum. “It’s great to get that representation in art.”
“The Lowriders: From Detroit to L.A. and Back” runs from Aug. 29 to Dec. 19, 2026, and is free and open to the public. An artist-guided tour of the exhibit takes place on October 24, 2026 at 10:30 a.m.
During her performance, alumna Roxanne Chantaca took the time to express her appreciation for SVSU.
“Thank you to SVSU for hosting this beautiful kick-off event…” Chantaca has performed at OMSA Hispanic Heritage Month events in previous years.
