Frida Fest
article and photos by Zoë Sandvigen illustration by Brooke Jones On March 8, Diversity and Multicultural Student Services hosted the fourth annual Frida Fest in Smith Memorial Student Union at Portland State University. According to the event page, the festival honoring Frida Kahlo is an annual event hosted every year in hopes to inspire people of all ages, genders, and racial backgrounds to embrace equality and build a world through art and empowerment. Since 2016, Frida Fest has celebrated International Women’s Day by highlighting the legacy of Kahlo, the infamous Mexican artist, feminist, and 20th century political activist. According to the PSU events calendar, the annual event “celebrates the feminist values that define Frida’s legacy,” and “honors artists dedication to social justice, leadership, and engagement.” This year, Frida Fest was organized by La Casa Latina, the Chicano-Latino Studies Program, and the Women’s Resource Center. It took place in Parkway North amid flowers while attendees enjoyed catered Mexican food and a myriad of activities, like jewelry-crafting and an “empowering photo booth,” as well as live performances of music and poetry.
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