Artists, students and families gathered to partake in hands-on activities and crafts that represented different cultures from around the world on Saturday afternoon.

The festivities, hosted by Promote Pullman, offered students and community members a chance to connect through creativity and heritage. 

Visitors attending the event were able to try their hand at crafts, such as beadwork, glass decoration, painting and much more.

Several small booths were also scattered amongst the colorful plaza, displaying all kinds of different traditional pieces, including handmade jewelry, tapestries and prints, as well as artwork created by Washington State alumni. 

Gallery • 4 Photos

Bailey Thule

Hanfu and Qipao on display stand.

The range of booths and tables gave people a chance to enjoy something different as they went through the festival. 

Organizers said this event was about more than raising money. 

“We have a wealth of culture throughout the university, and we just wanted to show that more down here, how much we appreciate it and how much we learn from it,” said Jandi Utzman, president of Promote Pullman.

People attending the event gathered at the crafts tables and a food station ran by Mela Bangladeshi Cuisine. These areas were filled with conversation and laughter, creating a  welcoming environment and leading to more community engagement.

With performances from local artists such as Kasey Savage and Ballet Folklórico de WSU, people were able to observe and create the artwork presented while enjoying the music.

One of the attractive stops was a booth offering intricate henna designs ran by Samiha Ali, who has been practicing her art her whole life. Whenever there is a promotion event in Moscow or Pullman, Ali gets involved by offering henna artwork. 

“People get to understand a lot of culture which helps you open up your mindset. I’m happy to be a part of it,” Ali said.

Representing her country and culture is incredibly fulfilling for her, and very educational and interesting for those who might not know as much, she said. While Promote Pullman puts on many events every year, Utzman said she hopes to be able to put on this specific event quarterly to continue to educate and provide students and Pullman locals a place to share their craft and culture. This event created a welcoming atmosphere, but also brought people together to celebrate our differences, as well as what we have in common.