Chacon — a Dine (Navajo) and Chicana artist from New Mexico — came to MSU as its fall 2018 Womxn of Color Initiative (WOCI) Artist-in-Residence. Her art focuses on connections woven between femininity, the environment and indigenous culture and community. 

From 1 to 3 p.m., Chacon will be recognized for her work, which incorporates native history and spirit of the Lansing community.

Her mural highlights representations of native women in addition to the traditions of plants and sustainability on indigenous land. When she paints a mural, Chacon's goal is to learn about the community and make connections with the people who know the space best. 

“I think it’s always essential to involve yourself in the community for so many reasons," Chacon said. "If you involve yourself in your community, you are more likely to make change that really implements the community."

During the month of October at MSU, Chacon facilitated arts workshops, visited classrooms and talked about her work, all while working on her mural project. Chacon imagined and illustrated the design for the mural in collaboration with MSU professor Dylan Miner and the native community of Lansing. She chalked the outline of the design and then painted it. 

“I think if you’re interested in change ... then I think that that voice can’t only be from you, it has to be strengthened by other people and the only way to effectively do that is to connect with people and be in your environment and see the inconsistencies for yourself," Chacon said.

This event is sponsored by the MSU College of Arts and Letters, the Department of English, the Residential College in the Arts and Humanities, the Center for Gender in a Global Context, American Indian and Indigenous Studies and Chicano/Latino Studies. 

Event partners also include the Lansing Mayor’s Office and Lansing for Cesar Chavez.