Stickers featuring the exhibition’s migrating homes will be available for sale in the gallery to support the continuation of Migración: Betabeleros through the Front Range.
The Laramie Plains Civic Center’s Gorgon Gallery will host local artist Ismael Dominguez’s installation Migración: Betabeleros, an evocative new exhibition exploring the histories, resilience, and cultural contributions of migrant agricultural workers in the Rocky Mountain region. The show will run from March 8 to April 30, with an opening reception on March 8 from 6 to 8 p.m., featuring artist talks and community discussions with the University of Wyoming’s linguistics scholars, Drs. Escalante and Domenech.
This exhibition highlights the experiences of betabeleros—migrant laborers who worked the sugar beet fields of Wyoming and the surrounding areas. Through textile-based sculptures, historic photos, and recorded narratives, Migración: Betabeleros sheds light on the enduring impact of these workers and their families, many of whom laid the foundation for today's Latino communities in the region.
Learn more about this project and the history of Betabeleros on Ismael's Website.
“This work is an homage or offering to my ancestors and living family members who carried themselves and our lineage through the fields, of their own volition or not, so I could have the privilege of never having to know that kind of manual labor,” Dominguez says of his installation. “For my family and others who would travel hundreds of miles, chasing the seasons and ripening crops, who packed their homes into a car or bus to travel to an unfamiliar place, I am honored to carry a sliver of their stories forward.”
The Gorgon Gallery, located in Room 332 of the Laramie Plains Civic Center, is dedicated to showcasing identity-based and socially engaged art. Since its opening in April 2023, the gallery has served as a vital space for underrepresented voices, fostering dialogue and connection through the power of visual storytelling.
Visitors can explore Migración: Betabeleros from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday-Thursday or by appointment. Admission is free, ensuring that all members of the community have access to this important cultural exhibition. This event has been made possible with partial funding by Wyoming Humanities, Artillect, KOCA Radio La Montenesa, and public donors.
In addition to viewing the show, the public is invited to contribute their own stories about Wyoming’s sugar beet industry, whether through personal or family histories, memories of working in the fields, or reflections on how this labor shaped local communities. By sharing these experiences, participants help preserve and expand the narrative of the betabeleros, ensuring their resilience and contributions are recognized for generations to come. Stories can be submitted online at lpccwy.org/gorgongallery or by emailing awallace@lpccwy.org.
Stickers featuring the exhibition’s migrating homes will be available for sale in the gallery to support the continuation of Migración: Betabeleros through the Front Range.
For media inquiries, group visits, or collaboration opportunities, please contact:
Aubree Wallace
Visual Arts Director
Laramie Plains Civic Center
(307) 745-8000
awallace@lpccwy.org
This project made possible through partial funding and partnership by:
