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WIU to Celebrate Latino Voices in Luchadores Immigrants Exhibit

February 23, 2023

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MACOMB/MOLINE, IL - - Western Illinois University invites everyone to celebrate Latino voices with art, music, dance, food, family and friends at the multimedia installation of acclaimed artist Miriam Alarcón Avila's work, "Luchadores Immigrants." The inauguration event will be from 1-4 p.m. Saturday, March 25 in the WIU-QC Complex Atrium. The exhibit will be available for viewing from Saturday, March 25- Saturday, April 22.

"As a celebration of our diverse communities, Miriam Alarcón Avila's extraordinary work gives voice to those often unheard stories, and provides a unique platform for the Quad Cities communities to come together and take part in a fun, engaging and compelling event to tell our own stories," said WIU Professor of Education Carla Paciotto.

The inauguration schedule includes:


  • 1-1:30 p.m. - WIU Tradición Hispana Dance Group

  • 1:30-1:45 pm – Bendición/Blessing

  • 1:45-2:45 p.m. - Visitors experience: Procesión Migratoria/Migration Procession

  • 2:45-4 p.m. - Latin Thunder, Danza Asunción (Aztec Dancers), DJ Flaco Contreras, ongoing exhibit visits, food and kids' activities


This exhibit will showcase the Latino communities through a multimedia approach based in photography, incorporating customized Luchador masks, video, poetry and storytelling. Avila shares the stories of Latinx people across Iowa by expressing the heroic and poignant nature of their characters through masks. Avila's work has appeared in multiple art museums in Des Moines, Iowa City and eastern Iowa communities.

For more information about Avila's work, visit miriamalarconavila.com. For more information on the inauguration event, contact Paciotto at C-Paciotto@wiu.edu.

Posted By: Lexi Yoggerst (AJ-Yoggerst@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing