AAPI Heritage Month honors Asian cultures

The University of North Georgia (UNG) will host multiple cultural celebrations as part of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month during the month of April. AAPI Heritage Month is celebrated around the world during the month of May. However, most college campuses celebrate a month early while school is in session.

Some of the events are an April 2 Eid Celebration from noon to 2 p.m. in the Robinson Ballroom of the Student Center at the Gainesville Campus, an April 11 cultural exhibit from 5-7 p.m. in the Hoag ABC Rooms at the Dahlonega Campus, an art exhibition from April 28-May 30 in the Atrium Gallery of the Arts & Technology building at the Gainesville Campus. See the full list of events below.

Grace Herr, a sophomore from Buford, Georgia, pursuing a degree in biology with pre-medicine advising, serves as Asian Student Association (ASA) president at UNG's Dahlonega Campus. She is part of the Hmong ethnic group from Southeast Asia and is often mistakenly thought to be Chinese or Korean when people meet her. For her, AAPI Heritage Month offers an opportunity to educate others on the variety even within Asian culture.

"We want to explore this very unique subculture because America is very diverse. We want to showcase our culture and allow people to take pride in it," Herr said. "People at UNG are very receptive to it. They're very willing and open to learning more, and it's about giving them the opportunity."

Alina Roy, a freshman from Duluth, Georgia, pursuing a degree on the engineering pathway through the Regents' Engineering Transfer Program, is the ASA president at the Gainesville Campus. Roy has appreciated collaborating with other student organizations and believes each group has something unique to offer. Roy also appreciates the educational aspect of cultural celebration months.

"This is a great way to bring people together and learn about various cultures," Roy said. "It can also encourage them to learn more."

Roy also points to the ASA as vital in easing her transition to UNG.

"It's helped me open up and meet new people. It's more than a club," Roy said. "It's a community that provides a sense of belonging."

Tiffany Joy Prater, an associate professor of visual arts, is leading the organization of the art exhibition as a member of the AAPI Group of UNG and the Department of Visual Arts, and Multicultural Student Affairs (MSA) is sponsoring the exhibition.

"We wanted a way to celebrate our culture and heritage in a way that would allow students to have their art recognized, as well," Prater said. "This will help students express themselves creatively."

Students from all campuses are invited to submit two-dimensional and three-dimensional artwork that celebrates AAPI culture. The exhibition is accepting works in traditional mediums (ceramics, drawing, design, illustration/animation, painting, printmaking, photography). If entering digitally created art works, students should be prepared to provide a printed version of the artwork for inclusion in the show. No artificial-intelligence-created artworks will be accepted. The call for entries, which includes the sign-up form, is available in UNG Connect.

The due date for image submissions is April 11, with the due date for delivery of physical artworks being April 25.

April 1: AAPI Heritage Month Tabling, Gainesville Student Center Patio, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

April 2: AAPI Heritage Month Tabling, Dahlonega Hoag Patio, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

April 2: Gainesville ASA/Gainesville International Student Association/MSA Eid Celebration, Gainesville Student Center, Robinson Ballroom, noon to 2 p.m.

April 11: MSA/Dahlonega ASA/AAPI Cultural Exhibit, Dahlonega Hoag ABC Rooms, 5-7 p.m.

April 16: MSA/Gainesville Student Government Association/AAPI Boba Giveaway, Gainesville Student Center Cafeteria, noon.

April 18: Gainesville ASA/Guild of Tabletop Gamers/MSA Asian Game Night, Gainesville Student Center, Robinson Ballroom,1-5 p.m.

April 23: MSA/Dahlonega ASA Movie: "Rush Hour," Dahlonega Promenade, 7-10 p.m.

April 28: AAPI Art Exhibition Reception, Atrium Gallery, Gainesville Arts and Technology Building, 3-5 p.m.

April 28-May 30: AAPI Art Exhibition, Atrium Gallery, Gainesville Arts and Technology Building.