UWindsor Visual Arts Masters Candidate Arturo Herrera shines a unique spotlight on migrant workers with his latest artistic venture, a collection of recipes and personal stories told by workers who migrate to Essex County each year to work on local farms.

The book, Intercambio de Recetas (Recipe Exchange), creates a picture of how some migrant workers, who generally hail from Mexico, South America and the Caribbean, feel about the time they spend in Canada each year, as well as how they connect with loved ones back home.

“I wanted to have a connection with the migrant workers and give them a voice,” says Herrera.

Herrera (BFA ‘12) says the men get creative and resourceful since many come here without knowing how to cook and without access to full kitchens or proper ingredients.

“When they come here they have little knowledge about cooking or about food - they are often used to it being the role of the women in their family doing the cooking back home,” says Herrera.

“In my art practice I try to address identity, sexuality and the roles one has to take in society to fit in.”

Herrera says that although he was able to communicate with Spanish-speaking workers in their native language he took additional steps to find common ground.

“I have a distinct look, but I wanted to fit in, so I removed my jewellery, glasses and more colourful clothing when I went to the community festivals and fairs,” says Herrera.

“I felt like I was naked from my own identity but I wanted to fit in and feel comfortable. This project was about them, it wasn’t about me.”

The project was funded with an Ontario Arts Council (OAC) grant and Neighbourhood Spaces Residency. Copies of the book will be available at the Leamington Public Library and each of the 45 participants will get a copy when they return to Canada for the 2015 season.

“I’m happy to have this published book, but I enjoy the journey and approach my projects as a way of making myself present.”

DNA and atoms were some of the scientific terms students raced to draw for their teams to guess in a science Pictionary challenge, one of a series of challenges which took place at last week’s Science Olympiad.

The event, developed by students from the faculty of Education and Academic Development, had students from competing teams racing from station to station across campus to complete problems in every branch of science.

“Science Olympiad generates interest in science among senior high school students who are about to enroll in universities,” said Stephanie Palazzolo a supply teacher with Greater Essex County District School Board Lead for UWindsor Science Olympiad.  

“This year, 213 students, top scientists from 18 schools joined in and the competition was strong.”

Teams of six raced against the clock to solve problems from Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Computer Science.

“It was fun, my favourite challenge was matching science figures with their discoveries,” said Maha Hammoud, a student at l'Essor high school.

“Coming from a French school, I have learned a lot of scientific terms in English today and that will support my future studies in Biological Science.”

Alex Popovic, a student at Massey High school said he not only learned from the challenges, but has also acquired team building skills. “We had to work as a team, distribute roles and track time so we could win.”

The Massey High team was victorious with each member of the team winning an offer of a $1000 scholarship to attend the University of Windsor along with individual medals and a trophy.

Maha Hammoud, l'essor high school and Alex Popovic, Massy high school, two ambitious science students who competed in Science Olympiad.​

The campus Print Shop will close to business Thursday, April 30, for its annual inventory.

The Print Shop is located in the lower level of Chrysler Hall Tower (Building 38 on campus map).