Join us for a guided walkthrough of two powerful exhibitions currently on view at the Julia Ideson Building. Raquel Natalicchio and Cesar Espinosa will lead intimate tours of their respective exhibits, offering personal insight into the stories, struggles, and movements that shape their work.

Featured Exhibits:

Al Otro Lado | The Other Side

Presented by Raquel Natalicchio, Photojournalist, South Regional Chair of the National Press Photographers Association, and Founder of The Open Door Gallery

At the heart of Al Otro Lado/The Other Side lies the convergence of individual stories and geographical context. This exhibition features the work of photojournalist Raquel Natalicchio, focusing on her portraits and interviews of people who have migrated to the United States. Their personal narratives, highlighting their diverse experiences and journeys, are paired with historical maps highlighting regions along the U.S.-Mexico border, sourced from the Houston History Research Center (HHRC). These maps not only chart physical landscapes but also document the history leading up to the establishment of the border and the socio-political complexities surrounding immigration.  

Nuestra Lucha: The Story of FIEL (Familias Inmigrantes y Estudiantes en la Lucha)

Presented by Cesar Espinosa, Founder and Director of FIEL 

This exhibition presents a visual history of FIEL, a Houston-based immigrant rights organization. Through photographs, documents, and ephemera, it spotlights the group’s grassroots organizing, community resilience, and ongoing fight for justice. The display offers a powerful reflection on the role of local activism in shaping policy, empowering youth, and defending immigrant rights. This exhibition also serves as a preview of FIEL’s archival collection, which is currently being added to the Houston History Research Center’s Hispanic Collections, offering the public an early look at materials that will soon be preserved and made accessible for future generations.

This event will take place at the Julia Ideson Building Auditorium on Saturday, September 06, 2025, at 12:00pm 

This event is free and open to the public. Parking in the garage under the Central Library is free. Registration is encouraged, but not required.

Be sure to check out the rest of the day’s events—including a charla (community discussion) and a special film screening—to continue the conversation and inspire collective action and reflection.

More info here.

This public program is presented in support of Raquel Natalicchio's exhibit at HPL, Al Otro Lado | The Other Side. This exhibition will be on view June 14, 2025–February 28, 2026 at the Houston Public Library's Dr. James and Betty Key Map Room in the Julia Ideson Building and is free and open to the public during regular hours. 

To learn more about the exhibit and upcoming related programs, visit: https://houstonlibrary.org/blogs/exhibits/exhibits/al-otro-lado