Bienvenidos A Iowa Celebrating the Richness of Culture and Community - We Are Iowa
We Are Iowa spoke with Miriam Alarcón Avila and Seso Marentes about “Bienvenidos A Iowa”, a exhibition centering immigrant, Latino/a/x, Chicano/a, and Indigenous artists from Iowa and the Midwest.
“Bienvenidos” means “welcome,” and this exhibition embraces the spirit of the Statue of Liberty -honoring heritage, celebrating diversity, and recognizing the vital contributions these communities make to our state. Curated by Colectivo Luchart, the exhibition features work by 37 artists and offers a range of media and approaches that reflect culture, belonging and resilience.
“If you are an immigrant, the Statue of Liberty has a strong meaning, psychologically and politically. We are honoring all these generations and the sacrifice they made to follow a dream.” - Miriam Alarcón Avila, co-curator of Colectivo Luchart
“May these creations be a window into the stories we carry, and a door to the community we are building.” - Seso Marentes, co-curator of Colectivo Luchart.
