Through Lens and Story brings together photography, reflection, and storytelling to explore how first-generation Latinx community college students understand and experience mental health, stigma, identity, family, and belonging.
The exhibition grew out of José Ibarra-Virgen’s doctoral research at Arizona State University. Student participants used Photovoice to document their everyday lives, responding to prompts about identity, family, culture, mental health, support, and belonging. Each photograph was followed by written reflection and an individual plática, a conversational space where students explained the meaning behind their images in their own words.
The work on display speaks to isolation, silence, loss, and the expectations students carry from family and culture. It also shows connection, hope, healing, and the people and places that help students feel supported. Rather than speaking about students, the exhibition gives them room to speak for themselves.
At its center is a simple idea: students may not always be avoiding help. Sometimes they are still finding the words to say they need it. The research found that making services available is not enough on its own. Students also need to feel that the people and institutions around them are safe to approach.
Featured artists: Claudia Arriola, Jimmy Cuevas, Nicolas Linares, Arthur Martins, Daniel Morales, and Mannie Villalobos. Curated by José Ibarra-Virgen, Director of Systems Impacted Programs at LBCC.