Curator Yen Ospina has organized "We Are La Voz II," a month-long pop-up exhibition at Orozco Gallery on The Commons in Ithaca, running from April 3 to May 2. The nomadic gallery highlights Latine fiber artists, featuring works that evolve over time and include textiles, embroidery, and fiber paintings. The exhibition serves as a tribute to Debra Castillo, a Cornell professor who co-founded the first Orozco Gallery exhibit in 2024 and passed away in October 2025. Artists like Sarah Lopez and Carolina Osorio Gil contribute pieces that explore themes of identity, memory, and resilience, with Ospina using the project to process her grief and counter rising anti-immigrant rhetoric.
The exhibition matters because it centers marginalized perspectives—Latine and fiber artists—in Ithaca's business district, challenging traditional hierarchies that separate fine art from craft. By creating a communal and cathartic space, Orozco Gallery fosters empathy and visibility for immigrant and people-of-color communities during a politically charged climate. The project also underscores the role of art as therapy and community-building, with Ospina's work through the Latino Civic Association of Tompkins County amplifying local voices and making art more accessible to all.