Sacramento State’s Hmong University Student Association held the very first Hmong Heritage Week on campus.

On April 24 in the University Union’s Orchard Gallery, HUSA displayed a Hmong art gallery, in honor of the heritage week.

Hmong Heritage Week coordinator Chao Vang said this is a Sac State first and the Association has worked hard to create the perfect experience.

“The Hmong heritage week hasn’t been attempted at any UC or CSU,” said Vang. “It’s the first time that it’s happening on any campus, so we’ve been planning for about six or seven months for a whole week of events.”

Sac State has one of the largest Hmong student populations in California and this event brought Hmongs from all over the state together to express themselves and experience different forms of art.

The Hmong gallery displayed various traditional items that many Hmong students have grown up appreciating.

“A lot of these artifacts our parents have and they don’t really showcase [them]. I think this is what really speaks to the beauty of our culture,” said Vang.

Gallery viewers experienced displays of traditional clothing to represent various Hmong clans, instruments, weapons, baskets, toys, books and art as well as modern interpretations of Hmong culture.

Hmong artists Vang Yang and Vam Moua use their art to show a modern appreciation for their culture and to give students a more creative outlook on things other than the traditional opinions expressed by their parents.

“I want the youth to see that their are other outlets in becoming successful,” said Moua.

The HUSA’s goal with the gallery was to highlight the culture’s legacy through history and to display where Hmong culture is headed in the future.

“I love to do pieces of work that tell a story within our culture,” said Yang. “Sometimes art forms are easier to understand and I love doing that through my work.”