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A WELCOMING PLACE.

Building a collective narrative on migration.

In a world increasingly defined by borders and barriers, we are called to reimagine and create spaces of belonging—where openness, compassion, and shared humanity dissolve the lines that divide us.

Left: Sterling, Virginia. 2024. A U.S. flag hangs outside the USCIS offices in Sterling, Virginia, where Junior and Maria, nurses from Venezuela, attended their first asylum hearing. Right: Juarez, Mexico. 2023. Maria poses for a portrait in a shelter where she and Junior waited for three months for their asylum appointment, scheduled through the overloaded CBP One app.

Left: Sterling, Virginia. 2024. A U.S. flag hangs outside the USCIS offices in Sterling, Virginia, where Junior and Maria, nurses from Venezuela, attended their first asylum hearing. Right: Juarez, Mexico. 2023. Maria poses for a portrait in a shelter where she and Junior waited for three months for their asylum appointment, scheduled through the overloaded CBP One app.

Embodying Hope
 

Marquette Park
 

Juarez, Mexico. 2023. People wait to surrender to Border Patrol agents in an effort to enter the U.S. from Mexico.

Juarez, Mexico. 2023. People wait to surrender to Border Patrol agents in an effort to enter the U.S. from Mexico.

Embodying Hope
 

Marquette Park
 

Left: José Ángel, a young migrant from Venezuela, sits for a picture with his sons in front of the hotel-turned-shelter in Manhattan, where he lives with his wife and children. Despite being thankful for the support, José Ángel sometimes questions his decision to come to the U.S., as he previously worked as a construction site coordinator in Costa Rica, and now both he and his wife work at McDonald's.  Right: Tapachula, Mexico. 2023. People on the move gather in the central square of Tapachula, just miles from the Guatemalan border. Each year, thousands pass through this small border city on their journey north.

Left: José Ángel, a young migrant from Venezuela, sits for a picture with his sons in front of the hotel-turned-shelter in Manhattan, where he lives with his wife and children. Despite being thankful for the support, José Ángel sometimes questions his decision to come to the U.S., as he previously worked as a construction site coordinator in Costa Rica, and now both he and his wife work at McDonald's.  Right: Tapachula, Mexico. 2023. People on the move gather in the central square of Tapachula, just miles from the Guatemalan border. Each year, thousands pass through this small border city on their journey north.

Humboldt Park
 

Symbols of Faith and Gratitude
 

Left: Juarez, Mexico. 2023. On March 27, 40 detainees died in a fire at a migrant detention center after guards abandoned the facility. Family and friends of the victims set up an altar outside to honor their lost loved ones. Right: Juarez, Mexico. 2023. Friends of the victims protest outside the same detention center, carrying a cross in a symbolic act, echoing the suffering of Jesus Christ.

Left: Juarez, Mexico. 2023. On March 27, 40 detainees died in a fire at a migrant detention center after guards abandoned the facility. Family and friends of the victims set up an altar outside to honor their lost loved ones. Right: Juarez, Mexico. 2023. Friends of the victims protest outside the same detention center, carrying a cross in a symbolic act, echoing the suffering of Jesus Christ.

Symbols of Faith and Gratitude

Humboldt Park
 

Left: Chichicastenango, Guatemala. 2023. The body of Gustavo Adolfo Najera rests in his grave after being repatriated from the U.S. Right: Chichicastenango, Guatemala. 2023. Juana Canil Santiago poses with a photo of her missing son, Ventura Pantzay.

Echoes of Home: The Objects We Carry
 

Humboldt Park
 

Left: Chichicastenango, Guatemala. 2023. The body of Gustavo Adolfo Najera rests in his grave after being repatriated from the U.S. Right: Chichicastenango, Guatemala. 2023. Juana Canil Santiago poses with a photo of her missing son, Ventura Pantzay.

Left: Juarez, Mexico. 2023. A group of people scramble to cross back into Mexico after unsuccessfully attempting to enter the United States. Right: Juarez, Mexico. 2023. A man from Venezuela tries to warm himself with a blanket.

Echoes of Home: The Objects We Carry
 

Humboldt Park
 

Left: Juarez, Mexico. 2023. A group of people scramble to cross back into Mexico after unsuccessfully attempting to enter the United States. Right: Juarez, Mexico. 2023. A man from Venezuela tries to warm himself with a blanket.

Symbols of Faith and Gratitude
 

We embark on a journey to uncover the deeply human stories of migration, seeking not only to understand the challenges, but to transform them into opportunities for connection.

A WELCOMING PLACE is a public exhibit of the BordersCruzadas Project, launching in three Chicago parks, each anchored in immigrant communities that have built resilient cultural hubs of warmth and sanctuary. We invite you to explore these parks, discover their neighborhoods, and hear the stories of their journeys.

Chicago

This video was supported by Magnum Foundation

Collaborative Visual Tools Designed for Community Engagement

JOURNEYS WORKSHOP As part of a broader arts engagement campaign with the Chicago Parks District Summer Camp Program, we developed a curriculum to deepen engagement with the visual stories depicted in the BordersCruzadas project. During workshops drawing over 250 youth from across 10 Chicago neighborhoods, the images and symbols of belonging, faith and gratitude resonated with participants, mirroring their own personal and physical journeys. These objects, representing hope and resilience, highlighted the universal power of faith, connecting us all in the face of uncertainty. Thanks to a knowledge transfer collaboration with the Once Upon our Time Capsule Project, AWP crafted a Journey zine exercise that empowered participants to connect the images and universal themes they drew from the BordersCruzadas exhibition to craft their own journey zines. To learn more about the zines, you can watch this video providing examples created by our own teaching assistants from Marwen’s Arts@Wor
JOURNEYS WORKSHOP As part of a broader arts engagement campaign with the Chicago Parks District Summer Camp Program, we developed a curriculum to deepen engagement with the visual stories depicted in the BordersCruzadas project. During workshops drawing over 250 youth from across 10 Chicago neighborhoods, the images and symbols of belonging, faith and gratitude resonated with participants, mirroring their own personal and physical journeys. These objects, representing hope and resilience, highlighted the universal power of faith, connecting us all in the face of uncertainty. Thanks to a knowledge transfer collaboration with the Once Upon our Time Capsule Project, AWP crafted a Journey zine exercise that empowered participants to connect the images and universal themes they drew from the BordersCruzadas exhibition to craft their own journey zines. To learn more about the zines, you can watch this video providing examples created by our own teaching assistants from Marwen’s Arts@Wor
JOURNEYS WORKSHOP As part of a broader arts engagement campaign with the Chicago Parks District Summer Camp Program, we developed a curriculum to deepen engagement with the visual stories depicted in the BordersCruzadas project. During workshops drawing over 250 youth from across 10 Chicago neighborhoods, the images and symbols of belonging, faith and gratitude resonated with participants, mirroring their own personal and physical journeys. These objects, representing hope and resilience, highlighted the universal power of faith, connecting us all in the face of uncertainty. Thanks to a knowledge transfer collaboration with the Once Upon our Time Capsule Project, AWP crafted a Journey zine exercise that empowered participants to connect the images and universal themes they drew from the BordersCruzadas exhibition to craft their own journey zines. To learn more about the zines, you can watch this video providing examples created by our own teaching assistants from Marwen’s Arts@Wor
JOURNEYS WORKSHOP As part of a broader arts engagement campaign with the Chicago Parks District Summer Camp Program, we developed a curriculum to deepen engagement with the visual stories depicted in the BordersCruzadas project. During workshops drawing over 250 youth from across 10 Chicago neighborhoods, the images and symbols of belonging, faith and gratitude resonated with participants, mirroring their own personal and physical journeys. These objects, representing hope and resilience, highlighted the universal power of faith, connecting us all in the face of uncertainty. Thanks to a knowledge transfer collaboration with the Once Upon our Time Capsule Project, AWP crafted a Journey zine exercise that empowered participants to connect the images and universal themes they drew from the BordersCruzadas exhibition to craft their own journey zines. To learn more about the zines, you can watch this video providing examples created by our own teaching assistants from Marwen’s Arts@Wor
JOURNEYS WORKSHOP As part of a broader arts engagement campaign with the Chicago Parks District Summer Camp Program, we developed a curriculum to deepen engagement with the visual stories depicted in the BordersCruzadas project. During workshops drawing over 250 youth from across 10 Chicago neighborhoods, the images and symbols of belonging, faith and gratitude resonated with participants, mirroring their own personal and physical journeys. These objects, representing hope and resilience, highlighted the universal power of faith, connecting us all in the face of uncertainty. Thanks to a knowledge transfer collaboration with the Once Upon our Time Capsule Project, AWP crafted a Journey zine exercise that empowered participants to connect the images and universal themes they drew from the BordersCruzadas exhibition to craft their own journey zines. To learn more about the zines, you can watch this video providing examples created by our own teaching assistants from Marwen’s Arts@Wor

JOURNEYS WORKSHOP As part of a broader arts engagement campaign with the Chicago Parks District Summer Camp Program, we developed a curriculum to deepen engagement with the visual stories depicted in the BordersCruzadas project. During workshops drawing over 250 youth from across 10 Chicago neighborhoods, the images and symbols of belonging, faith and gratitude resonated with participants, mirroring their own personal and physical journeys. These objects, representing hope and resilience, highlighted the universal power of faith, connecting us all in the face of uncertainty.
 

Thanks to a knowledge transfer collaboration with the Once Upon our Time Capsule Project, AWP crafted a Journey zine exercise that empowered participants to connect the images and universal themes they drew from the BordersCruzadas exhibition to craft their own journey zines.

 

To learn more about the zines, you can watch this video providing examples created by our own teaching assistants from Marwen’s Arts@Work program here.

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WELL WISHES TAPESTRY For hundreds of years, the craft of tapestry and weaving has been seen across many cultures as a form of preserving history and storytelling. Drawing from themes distilled through the lived experiences of the individuals and communities portrayed in BordersCruzadas, AWP developed this Well Wishes Tapestry activity that our summer camp participants from across all 10 Chicago neighborhoods contributed to. 

 

Students wrote messages of their own encouraging those who have embarked on a journey, or have recently arrived in Chicago onto strips of canvas. Their “well-wishes” were all woven into a tapestry representing the voices of young people sharing their empathic responses to the many stories of migration as seen through the BordersCruzadas project or through their own lived experiences. 

 

We invite you to view this video of the tapestry created by our 2024 Summer Campers, and explore how you can bring this project to life in your own community.

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WELL WISHES TAPESTRY For hundreds of years, the craft of tapestry and weaving has been seen across many cultures as a form of preserving history and storytelling. Drawing from themes distilled through the lived experiences of the individuals and communities portrayed in BordersCruzadas, AWP developed this Well Wishes Tapestry activity that our summer camp participants from across all 10 Chicago neighborhoods contributed to.  Students wrote messages of their own encouraging those who have embarked on a journey, or have recently arrived in Chicago onto strips of canvas. Their “well-wishes” were all woven into a tapestry representing the voices of young people sharing their empathic responses to the many stories of migration as seen through the BordersCruzadas project or through their own lived experiences.  We invite you to view this video of the tapestry created by our 2024 Summer Campers, and explore how you can bring this project to life in your own community. ​

COMO ME VEO, COMO TE VIERON is a documentary photography workshop designed specifically for individuals who have migrated to or sought asylum in the United States. This unique workshop empowers participants to harness the creative potential of photography as a means to explore and express their own personal migration journeys. Participants are encouraged to share, process, and reflect on the challenges, traumas, dreams, and successes that have shaped their lives. The workshop offers a supportive environment where personal narratives are honored and celebrated.
 

Developed by Castillo and Sands, one of the central elements of this workshop is the exploration of the impact of stereotypes and discrimination on the lives of people on-the-move. Through portraiture, participants delve into the ways in which society may have perceived them and examine how they see themselves. This powerful visual storytelling approach allows individuals to challenge preconceived notions, break down stereotypes, and highlight their unique, multifaceted identities.

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"Como te vieron? Como me veo?" encourages mutual understanding and solidarity among participants. This workshop serves as a space for healing, self-expression, and the celebration of the rich and diverse experiences of those who have embarked on remarkable journeys in pursuit of a better life. Through the lens of documentary photography, this workshop invites participants to reclaim their narratives, challenge stereotypes, and share their stories with the world.

 

We invite you to reach out to learn more about how you can bring this experience to your community.

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COMO ME VEO, COMO TE VIERON is a documentary photography workshop designed specifically for individuals who have migrated to or sought asylum in the United States. This unique workshop empowers participants to harness the creative potential of photography as a means to explore and express their own personal migration journeys. Participants are encouraged to share, process, and reflect on the challenges, traumas, dreams, and successes that have shaped their lives. The workshop offers a supportive environment where personal narratives are honored and celebrated. Developed by Castillo and Sands, one of the central elements of this workshop is the exploration of the impact of stereotypes and discrimination on the lives of people on-the-move. Through portraiture, participants delve into the ways in which society may have perceived them and examine how they see themselves. This powerful visual storytelling approach allows individuals to challenge preconceived notions, break down stereotype
COMO ME VEO, COMO TE VIERON is a documentary photography workshop designed specifically for individuals who have migrated to or sought asylum in the United States. This unique workshop empowers participants to harness the creative potential of photography as a means to explore and express their own personal migration journeys. Participants are encouraged to share, process, and reflect on the challenges, traumas, dreams, and successes that have shaped their lives. The workshop offers a supportive environment where personal narratives are honored and celebrated. Developed by Castillo and Sands, one of the central elements of this workshop is the exploration of the impact of stereotypes and discrimination on the lives of people on-the-move. Through portraiture, participants delve into the ways in which society may have perceived them and examine how they see themselves. This powerful visual storytelling approach allows individuals to challenge preconceived notions, break down stereotype
COMO ME VEO, COMO TE VIERON is a documentary photography workshop designed specifically for individuals who have migrated to or sought asylum in the United States. This unique workshop empowers participants to harness the creative potential of photography as a means to explore and express their own personal migration journeys. Participants are encouraged to share, process, and reflect on the challenges, traumas, dreams, and successes that have shaped their lives. The workshop offers a supportive environment where personal narratives are honored and celebrated. Developed by Castillo and Sands, one of the central elements of this workshop is the exploration of the impact of stereotypes and discrimination on the lives of people on-the-move. Through portraiture, participants delve into the ways in which society may have perceived them and examine how they see themselves. This powerful visual storytelling approach allows individuals to challenge preconceived notions, break down stereotype
COMO ME VEO, COMO TE VIERON is a documentary photography workshop designed specifically for individuals who have migrated to or sought asylum in the United States. This unique workshop empowers participants to harness the creative potential of photography as a means to explore and express their own personal migration journeys. Participants are encouraged to share, process, and reflect on the challenges, traumas, dreams, and successes that have shaped their lives. The workshop offers a supportive environment where personal narratives are honored and celebrated. Developed by Castillo and Sands, one of the central elements of this workshop is the exploration of the impact of stereotypes and discrimination on the lives of people on-the-move. Through portraiture, participants delve into the ways in which society may have perceived them and examine how they see themselves. This powerful visual storytelling approach allows individuals to challenge preconceived notions, break down stereotype
COMO ME VEO, COMO TE VIERON is a documentary photography workshop designed specifically for individuals who have migrated to or sought asylum in the United States. This unique workshop empowers participants to harness the creative potential of photography as a means to explore and express their own personal migration journeys. Participants are encouraged to share, process, and reflect on the challenges, traumas, dreams, and successes that have shaped their lives. The workshop offers a supportive environment where personal narratives are honored and celebrated. Developed by Castillo and Sands, one of the central elements of this workshop is the exploration of the impact of stereotypes and discrimination on the lives of people on-the-move. Through portraiture, participants delve into the ways in which society may have perceived them and examine how they see themselves. This powerful visual storytelling approach allows individuals to challenge preconceived notions, break down stereotype
COMO ME VEO, COMO TE VIERON is a documentary photography workshop designed specifically for individuals who have migrated to or sought asylum in the United States. This unique workshop empowers participants to harness the creative potential of photography as a means to explore and express their own personal migration journeys. Participants are encouraged to share, process, and reflect on the challenges, traumas, dreams, and successes that have shaped their lives. The workshop offers a supportive environment where personal narratives are honored and celebrated. Developed by Castillo and Sands, one of the central elements of this workshop is the exploration of the impact of stereotypes and discrimination on the lives of people on-the-move. Through portraiture, participants delve into the ways in which society may have perceived them and examine how they see themselves. This powerful visual storytelling approach allows individuals to challenge preconceived notions, break down stereotype
Right: Juarez, Mexico. 2023. José poses outside the Mexican Immigration Detention Center in Juarez, where detainees from Venezuela and Guatemala tragically died in a fire the previous night. Traveling with his wife and daughter, they settled in Chicago months later. Left: Juarez, Mexico. 2023. Fencing along the pedestrian bridge that connects El Paso, Texas, to Juarez, Mexico.
Aboard la Bestia, northern Mexico. 2023. José and Maria, a couple from Venezuela, walk hand-in-hand along the top of a freight train carrying them north toward the United States.
Left: Huehuetoca, Mexico. 2023. “Pana-mio,” a child from Venezuela, poses for a portrait at the “Dump,” a landfill next to a freight train line. This location is a popular spot for people on-the-move to catch la Bestia, a dangerous freight train used to travel north. Right: Huehuetoca, Mexico. 2023. A young woman from Venezuela braids her the hair of a Haitian friend while they wait for a ride on la Bestia.
Left: New York, New York. 2022. Yenis passes beneath the Statue of Liberty months after arriving in the U.S. In 2019, Ken Cuccinelli, Trump’s director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, cynically suggested rewriting Emma Lazarus’s poem to: “Give me your tired and your poor who can stand up on their own two feet and will not become a public charge.” Right: Juarez, Mexico. 2023. A child traveling with his family walks alone along the border wall separating the United States from Mexico.

Ping Tom Memorial Park
 

Aboard la Bestia, northern Mexico. 2023. José and Maria, a couple from Venezuela, walk hand-in-hand along the top of a freight train carrying them north toward the United States.

Left: Huehuetoca, Mexico. 2023. “Pana-mio,” a child from Venezuela, poses for a portrait at the “Dump,” a landfill next to a freight train line. This location is a popular spot for people on-the-move to catch la Bestia, a dangerous freight train used to travel north. Right: Huehuetoca, Mexico. 2023. A young woman from Venezuela braids her the hair of a Haitian friend while they wait for a ride on la Bestia.

Humboldt Park
 

Left: New York, New York. 2022. Yenis passes beneath the Statue of Liberty months after arriving in the U.S. In 2019, Ken Cuccinelli, Trump’s director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, cynically suggested rewriting Emma Lazarus’s poem to: “Give me your tired and your poor who can stand up on their own two feet and will not become a public charge.” Right: Juarez, Mexico. 2023. A child traveling with his family walks alone along the border wall separating the United States from Mexico.

Humboldt Park
 

Young Travelers, New Roots
 

Young Travelers, New Roots
 

The Quiet Strength of New Beginnings
 

Ping Tom Memorial Park
 

The Quiet Strength of New Beginnings
 

Right: Juarez, Mexico. 2023. José poses outside the Mexican Immigration Detention Center in Juarez, where detainees from Venezuela and Guatemala tragically died in a fire the previous night. Traveling with his wife and daughter, they settled in Chicago months later. Left: Juarez, Mexico. 2023. Fencing along the pedestrian bridge that connects El Paso, Texas, to Juarez, Mexico.

A Welcoming Place - Chicago is the culmination of BordersCruzadas' public engagement campaign in the city, highlighting a series of collaborations with partners dedicated to advancing civic engagement and creating social impact through meaningful arts and cultural experiences.

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We are deeply grateful to the many partners who have supported us on this journey, helping shape Chicago’s migrant narrative through vital funding and programming contributions.

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