Winners of Photo Contests 2023

Exciting News! The Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies has announced the winners of its highly anticipated photo contest. After a long and arduous judging process, the winners have finally been selected. The competition, which has become a long-standing tradition, recognizes the best photographs of Latin America and the Caribbean, showcasing the region’s beauty and culture.

We are thrilled to announce that the first prize goes to Kaitlin Scott for her outstanding photograph, “Mujer Como Torre.” The photograph captures the essence of Latin American and Caribbean culture, showcasing the strength and beauty of the women in the region. The photograph’s use of color and contrast is breathtaking, and it truly stands out as a unique representation of the region.

The second prize goes to Sam Arvin for his stunning photograph, “Punta Cana, The Dominican Republic.” The photograph captures the essence of the region, offering a local perspective instead of the typical tourist view. The photograph’s composition and use of light are exceptional, and it is evident that the photographer put a great deal of thought and care into capturing the perfect shot.

The judging process was rigorous, with multiple metrics used to ensure that the values of authenticity, connection with the current photos collection, and a local view were rewarded. The judges (Diego Barbosa-Vásquez – Head of the Jury, Gabriela Kolman, and Dora Ahearn-Wood) were impressed with the quality of the submissions, but ultimately, Kaitlin Scott and Sam Arvin’s photographs stood out as the clear winners.

The Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies is proud to support and celebrate the region’s art and culture, and the photo contest is just one of the many ways in which they do so. We congratulate Kaitlin Scott and Sam Arvin on their well-deserved prizes, and we can’t wait to see what future artists and photographers will bring to the competition. Their work serves as a reminder of the richness and beauty of the Latin American and Caribbean region, and we are proud to be able to showcase it through this contest.

“Mujer Como Torre” by Kaitlin Scott

“Punta Cana, The Dominican Republic.” by Sam Arvin

CLACS 2023 Reception

Last Thursday, April 13th, the Latin American and Caribbean Studies (CLACS) department at Indiana University held its 2023 Reception. The event was filled with food, happiness, and friends as people from different areas of expertise and interests around IU gathered to share and celebrate Latin American and Caribbean topics.

The reception provided a great opportunity for individuals to come together and learn from each other’s experiences and knowledge. Whether it was discussing the history of a particular country or sharing stories about their travels to the region, the event created a space where everyone’s voices could be heard.

The Latin American and Caribbean Studies department at IU is dedicated to promoting interdisciplinary scholarship, teaching, and public engagement related to Latin America and the Caribbean. By hosting events like the CLACS Reception, they are able to bring together a diverse group of people to celebrate and learn about the region’s rich cultural heritage and history.

Overall, the 2023 Reception was a success and provided a glimpse into the vibrant and diverse community that CLACS has created at Indiana University. It is through events like this that we can learn from one another and continue to promote cross-cultural understanding and appreciation.

 

Faculty Travel: Costa Rica

Dr. Maurice Shirley, Assistant Professor of Higher Education and Student Affairs in the IU School of Education, traveled to the cities of Tamarindo, San Jose, and San Ramon in Costa Rica during the Spring 2023 academic term to convene with scholars, administrators, and current students regarding the current state of higher education within Costa Rica. As part of a federally funded grant, Dr. Shirley is currently developing a study abroad opportunity for graduate students to explore the unique challenges and opportunities for Costa Rican higher education and collaborate with scholars and professionals to develop strategic solutions for the years to come. With support from CLACS, Dr. Shirley was able to broaden his capacity to explore multiple regions of the country to set a foundation for a robust international experience for IU students and scholars. In preparation for the study abroad trip planned for Spring 2024, Dr. Shirley stated, “I’m very excited and honored to be entrusted with planning and leading a study abroad trip for our students. This is an amazing opportunity to learn more about education within international contexts that will facilitate dynamic conversations between two countries that face similar challenges in their systems of higher education.”

 To learn more about the trip and the upcoming study abroad opportunity, you may contact Dr. Shirley at maushirl@indiana.edu.

 

CLACS at the HLS 2023 Day

On Saturday March 4th 2023, the Center of Latinamerican and Caribean Studies was pleased to share with prospective HLS students (both transfers and incoming freshmen).  We are sharing with the upcoming students and their parents our center programs, events, classes, languages, courses, and minors. Was an exciting experience to see many people interested in our region. Looking forward to see all of them soon at the center!

The event was organized by the Hamilton Lugar School of Global & International Studies

CLACS and Cafezinho: Carnaval edition!

On February 22nd 2023, CLACS and Cafezinho* had their first event partnership of the semester: Cafezinho Carnaval edition! In this event, the Portuguese-speaking community at IU and Bloomington had the opportunity to make their own Carnaval masks and learn how to dance samba with Laís Lara Vanin and Gabriella Bain. Both are members of the African American Dance Company at IU. Laís is a PhD candidate at the Department of Spanish and Portuguese and a performer. Gabriella is a ballerina and a Junior in Folklore and Anthropology. By the end of the event, there was also a roda de samba** where students could show off the samba moves they learned with Laís and Gabriella!

*Cafezinho is the Portuguese-speaking hour in the Department of Spanish and Portuguese. During the 2022-2023 academic year, the PhD student Bruna Kalil was the organizer.

**Roda de samba is an improvised meeting of musicians and people that are singing, playing, and dancing samba.

 

CLACS Sponsoring La Comunidad del Sancocho for their lunch with Cristal Ange y Carlos Castaño

On Feb 22nd the Colombian Association at Indiana University “La Comunidad del Sancocho” hosted a lunch with Cristal Ange y Carlos Castaño sponsored by CLACS. Both shared with the IU Colombian Faculty and Graduate students their work with the Fundación Herencia in Colombia. More information at: https://herenciaambiental.org/

CLACS at the Literacy Night at Lakeview Elementary School.

On February 9th, 2023, CLACS had an exhibit during the Literacy Night at Lakeview Elementary School. This event had several fairy tale literacy activities, the school book fair, and a station with exhibits from many of the academic centers of Indiana University. The exhibit that CLACS prepared focused on two legends from Brazilian Folklore: Boitatá and Boi-Bumbá or Bumba Meu Boi. While learning more about them, students had the opportunity to create their own versions of each one of these two legends!

Following, you can see some pictures of the event:

 

CLACS Event: Understanding Peru’s Crisis / Feb 3rd 2023

On Feb 3rd 2023 CLACS hosted a multidisciplinary roundtable discussion of the current political crisis and popular protests in Peru.

You can see the recording of the full event here!

This roundtable discussion featured faculty from across campus: Serafín Coronel-Molina (Education), Lucia Guerra-Reyes (Public Health), Shane Greene (Anthropology), Javier León (Latin American Music Center), Doris Loayza (Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies), Julio Postigo (Geography), Olga Rodríguez-Ulloa (American Studies & Latino Studies).

CLACS Sponsoring La Comunidad del Sancocho for their lunch with Alexandra McNichols-Torroledo

On Tuesday Nov 8th “La Comunidad del Sancocho – IU Colombian Students Association” hosted a Lunch with the artist Alexandra McNichols-Torroledo. The event was co-sponsored by the Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies. In the event had a mixed Colombian group, including the CAIUB officers, Bloomington community members, faculty, and undergraduate and graduate students, where some of them are new faces in our meetings! This was an exceptional, fun, and warm experience!

CLACS affiliate Christiana Ochoa to be next dean of IU Maurer Law School

Christiana Ochoa has been has been named dean of the Indiana University Maurer School of Law, effective Nov. 1, 2022.She is the school’s first-ever Latine dean and one of just eight Latine women ever to serve as the dean of a U.S. law school.

For more: https://blogs.iu.edu/maurerlaw/2022/10/13/christiana-ochoa-announced-as-dean-of-the-maurer-school-of-law/