Western Illinois University will celebrate Latino voices through art, music, dance, food, family and friends with an inauguration event to unveil its multimedia installation of acclaimed artist Miriam Alarcón Avila’s work “Luchadores Immigrants” from 1-4 p.m., Saturday, March 25, in the WIU-QC Complex Atrium at 3300 River Drive, Moline.
“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,” WIU Professor of Education Carla Paciotto said in a news release.
The inauguration event will include the WIU Tradición Hispana Dance Group at 1 p.m., a Bendición/Blessing at 1:30 p.m., a Procesión Migratoria/Migration Procession from 1:45 to 2:45 p.m., and Latin Thunder, Danza Asunción (Aztec Dancers), DJ Flaco Contreras, food and kids’ activities from 2:45 to 4 p.m., according to the release.
This exhibit — which runs from March 25 to May 17 — will showcase Latino communities through photography, customized Luchador masks, video and poetry as Avila shares the stories of Latinx people across Iowa by expressing the heroic and poignant nature of their characters through masks, the release states.
A closing interview also will take place from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. May 17 in Riverfront Hall, room 111.
For more information about Avila’s work, visit miriamalarconavila.com. For more information about the inauguration event, email C-Paciotto@wiu.edu.
