California State University, Northridge Chicana/o studies professor Denise M. Sandoval and independent filmmaker John Cantú will explore how the arts transform a community during a special screening of their documentary, “Rushing Waters, Rising Dreams,” and discussion of their book of the same name at CSUN on March 6.

The event will take place at 2 p.m. in the Ferman Presentation Room in the Delmar T. Oviatt Library, located in the center of the campus at 18111 Nordhoff St. in Northridge.

“What makes this story so unique is that it is distinctive to the San Fernando Valley,” said Bernice Haber, a Friends of the Library board member. “Attendees will gain knowledge of what goes on in the San Fernado Valley, specifically the northeast valley, and the bookstore Tia Chucha’s, and what that community is trying to accomplish.”

The northeast San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles is the second largest community of Mexicans and Central Americans in the United States. The book explores 20 years of how the lack of neighborhood cultural spaces adversely affected struggling families and communities, and how the example of Tia Chucha’s inspires a cultural awakening and a revival of the economy and community spirit. The book speaks to a need for a national arts policy of cultural spaces, arts education, independent bookstores, public art projects and more.

The event is free and open to the public. For more information on the event, please call (818) 677-2638.

Arts and Culture, College of Humanities, Community, Delmar T. Oviatt Library, Lectures