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Food, drinks and a place to paint and relax were provided for students and staff who attended Sip N’ Paint, celebrating Filipino American History month and Latinx Heritage month.
People were invited to come for a place to celebrate culture and cultivate community spirit for a few hours in M-114 at LAC.
Bri Pinkerton, the main event coordinator, has hosted this event for around three years, initially starting the program as a way to celebrate black history month, branched out to help represent more communities.
“This event is for us, it’s for the community. We just always want to create a safe space where people can just relax,” Pinkerton said.
The event had a spread of Filipino food for those who came to enjoy the event which included a classic staple eggroll lumpia and a beef stew called bistek.
Every person at the event was given an easel, canvas and pencil to sketch before painting, along with a stencil of a traditionally clad Filipino woman for everyone to follow.
“As a staff member, this is my third one, and it’s just a nice moment to rest and unwind. I find myself actually looking forward to it,” staff member Johnathan Tejada.
There were no strict rules to the event, those who participated could opt in to following the stencil, but were not pressured to do so, with many participants who chose to express themselves in whatever way they pleased.
“Me and my cousin always used to do the arts and crafts stuff, and painting is like an easy escape,” student Ariel Hodges said.
Pinkerton intends to continue the trend of hosting these three to five times a semester, saying “even if it’s only three to four people sometimes, it’s always fun to just relax and celebrate culture for a couple hours.”
The event was filled with students and staff of all backgrounds, and welcomed anyone, with the room filled with laughter and playful bickering.
There will be two more Sip N’ Paint events hosted in this semester to be announced at a later date, promoting the appreciation of a culturally diverse campus.
