In an effort to give a voice to new Iowans and share their challenges as immigrants of rich Latinx heritage, visual and multimedia storytelling artist Miriam Alarcón Avila has been working since July 2017 on the Luchadores Immigrants in Iowa art project. The project is a photo-documentary comprised of portraits of immigrants to Iowa reimagined as Luchadores (wrestlers), wearing traditional and customized Lucha Libre (Mexican wrestling) masks. The mask is a symbol representing their identity as invisible Latinx immigrants. By wearing the mask, they become local super-heroes, empowering themselves to freely share their inspirational immigration story.

The complete series of Luchador portraits will be on display in the Stanley Café in Hancher Auditorium from November 19 to December 5, 2019.