DANBURY, CONN. — Western Connecticut State University will host nationally recognized illustrator, artist and educator Abe Echevarria for an Hispanic Awareness Month lecture at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2016, in Room 108 of the Visual and Performing Arts Center on the university’s Westside campus, 43 Lake Ave. Extension in Danbury.

Echevarria, former chair of the WCSU Art Department and a professor of Art, taught and mentored both undergraduate and graduate students in graphic design, illustration and applied studio. He will present some of his work, share his story about how he became an artist and educator, and provide career advice. Coming from a Latino background, his career has been greatly influenced by his experiences growing up.

Daryl Dennis, WCSU’s chief diversity officer and interim associate vice president for Multicultural Affairs, said, “Abe’s personal experience being Hispanic in that field was a story I thought should be shared with a larger audience.”

Echevarria has worked for a diverse list of clients covering the corporate world, book publishers, movie studios and ad agencies. His work is collected by public and private patrons, such as American Express, NBC, CBS, AT&T and Universal Pictures. Additionally his published work includes book illustrations for “Bailout, The Bankrupting of America,” “Counting Sheep” and “Essentials of Anatomy & Physiology.”

Echevarria has a long list of exhibitions and awards, including the International Gold Medal Winner Auction, Society of Illustrators, New York; The Award of Excellence 31, Society of Illustrators, New York; and the Latino Perspective, Western Connecticut State University.

The presentation, part of the university’s Cultural Connections Series, will be free and open to the public. For more information, send an email to dennisd@wcsu.edu.

Western Connecticut State University offers outstanding faculty in a range of quality academic programs. Our diverse university community provides students an enriching and supportive environment that takes advantage of the unique cultural offerings of Western Connecticut and New York.  Our vision: To be an affordable public university with the characteristics of New England’s best small private universities.