Meet the artist behind the exhibit! Award-winning illustrator Joe Cepeda joins the Worlds of Words Center for a reception featuring Cepeda Stories: Everyone Has a Story to Tell, an exhibit that begins with the assertion that each one of us has unique life experiences worth sharing. This exhibit of original art on loan from Cepeda challenges visitors to share their stories.
For the reception, the center will open our special collections to share original illustrations we pulled from our archives to complement the new exhibit. This art includes a variety of mediums to illustrate themes including family mealtimes, scenes from school and children at play.
The reception is free and open to the public. Please RSVP
To request disability-related accommodations that would ensure your full participation in this event, please email wow@arizona.edu or call 520.621.9340.
Event details may change. More information to follow.
By Rebecca Ballenger, Associate Director, Worlds of Words Center
Photo courtesy of Joe Cepeda
Cepeda Stories: Everyone Has a Story to Tell begins with the assertion that each one of us has unique life experiences that are worthy of sharing. This Spring 2025 exhibit of original art by award-winning illustrator, Joe Cepeda, challenges visitors to share their stories. The exhibit is free and open to the public at the Worlds of Words Center in the University of Arizona College of Education. Continue reading →
Joe Cepeda participated in the 15th Annual Tucson Festival of Books in March, 2024. He was a panelist for the “Every Word Counts: Authoring a Picturebook” session. It was in that panel presentation that Joe shared his deeply personal connection to his latest author/illustrated book Rafa Counts on Papá. Continue reading →
By Janine M. Schall, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Latin American and Latinx people have a long history of fighting to make their world a better place. In the face of oppression, discrimination, or inequality leaders have emerged to work for change across generations. Sometimes they do so by working within the system as a political or military leader but sometimes they seek change by working outside the system to disrupt institutionalized injustice.
This collection contains 12 picturebook biographies of Latinx and Latin American activists, politicians, and freedom fighters working for political freedom, better working conditions, environmental justice and more. Some of these people are beloved by all, while others have controversial histories. While the causes, movements, and actions vary, each biography depicts someone passionate about their cause and focused on improving their community. Continue reading →
