Latinos in Rural America Project

Latinos in Rural America (LiRA) is a public humanities project designed to broaden knowledge, engagement and understanding of the Latino/a experience in rural Ohio.

This project pursues the goal of providing an intimate window into the lives, origins and aspirations of Latinos in Knox County, home to Kenyon College. The oral history project is rooted in interviews and direct personal interactions with members of the community who represent diverse economic conditions, stages of life and aspirations within the broad social fabric of Knox County.

LiRA was undertaken by Clara Román-Odio, professor of Spanish and director of the Latino/a studies program at Kenyon College and the principal project investigator; Amelia Dunnell '17, a Kenyon Summer Scholar; and Patricia Mota '16, a Kenyon Summer Research Fellow.

The exhibit is organized into three distinct but complementary elements: a series of 10 bilingual panels that provide snapshots into the lives of Latino families in Knox County; a video that provides the audience an opportunity to experience Latinos talking about their lives; and a reflection piece in which we ask the audience to provide feedback on their experiences after having seen the exhibit. 

Exhibit Dates and Locations

Following a successful January-April 2016 tour, which included Kenyon College, the Public Library of Mount Vernon and Knox County, the Ohio State University and the University of Ohio, the Latinos in Rural America exhibit will travel to Urbana University, Sept. 13-28, 2016, and to Kent University, Oct. 4-21, 2016.

In addition, the project has been featured in the 2016 Ohio Civic Health Index Report and will be displayed and presented at the Ohio State House as part of the Moving Ohio Forward: Civic Leadership and Civic Action Release event on Nov. 17, 2016

This program is made possible in part by Ohio Humanities, a state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Any views, finding conclusions or recommendations expressed in this exhibition do not necessarily reflect those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.