For more information contact: Kate Worster, director of communication

August 16, 2007

Immigration meets small-town Iowa in new Grinnell College exhibition

Immigration remains a contentious issue for many Americans, but at least one small Iowa town seems to have made its peace with newcomers to the United States. A collection of photographs by Andy Kropa '98 explores daily life for the Latino population of West Liberty, Iowa. Little Allende, America, will be on view from Aug. 22 through Oct. 15 in Grinnell College's Burling Gallery, located in the lower level of the Burling Library.

Kropa is a freelance photographer based in New York City, where he shoots news, politics, business, and lifestyle images for a number of internationally known publications. An Iowa native and a Grinnell graduate, he returns frequently to his home state to follow new developments in the social and economic landscape through photography.

Most stories about immigration focus on areas near the U.S. borders, but small town America is often where the immigration drama plays out. For decades, Latino workers have come to the area around West Liberty, Iowa, for seasonal farm work, and many have stayed to start families in the area. Beginning in the 1990s, the Latino population increased in the area as a result of the meatpacking industry. Today, West Liberty's population is nearly 40 percent Latino, and of this group, almost all come from the same town in Mexico - Allende, in the state of Durango.
There is now a close relationship between Allende and West Liberty, which has been home to multiple generations of immigrant families. The community has already dealt with many of the issues of xenophobia and fear cropping up in other American small towns. Instead, residents experience a general feeling of openness and acceptance.

Little Allende, America, will be on view from Aug. 22 through Oct. 15 in the Burling Gallery, located in the lower level of the Burling Library on the Grinnell College campus. Hours are 8 a.m.-10 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m.-10 p.m., Saturday and Sunday. For more information, call 641-269-4660 or visit .

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