From baseball player Roberto Clemente to Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor to Mother Goose, Featherstone’s newest exhibition tells a range of Latinx stories.

Returning after his successful 2020 show, guest curator Richard Michelson brings El Barrio & Beyond: A Celebration of Latinx Culture to the Francine Kelly Gallery from July 9 to 30.

There will be an opening reception at the gallery on July 9 from 4 to 6 p.m.

Mr. Michelson’s previous show, From Caldecott to Coretta Scott: Award-Winning Black Illustrators, made waves on the Island for its focus on prolific Black illustrators in the wake of the murder of George Floyd. He returns to Featherstone in response to nationwide book bannings — many of which, he explained, are of books by Latinx authors and illustrators.

El Barrio & Beyond shares a collection of illustrations by 10 Latinx illustrators to highlight cultures and experiences often overlooked on the Island, said Ann Smith, executive director of Featherstone.

“Our goal here is about raising awareness and having an understanding of the importance of representation in literature,” Ms. Smith said of the exhibit. “For Black kids, in my experience, it’s wonderful to open up a book and see Black images. I think it’s a very similar situation in terms of the Latinx community. You want language that’s written in the language that’s familiar to you. You want images that reflect your culture and heritage.”

The show’s 10 artists have each won national awards for their work. Some have also won the National Book Award and the Pura Belpre Award, which is given to “a Latino/Latina writer and illustrator whose work best portrays, affirms and celebrates the Latino cultural experience in an outstanding work of literature for children and youth.”

“They’re considered among the best in the country,” Mr. Michelson said.

Mr. Michelson is an award-winning poet, children’s book author and founder, owner and curator of R. Michelson Galleries in Northampton, which devotes much of its focus to the art of book illustrations.

“Book illustrations always tend to be looked down on as a lesser cousin to fine art,” Mr. Michelson said. “I like to tell people that when Michelangelo was painting the Sistine Chapel, he was basically illustrating a book. We show book illustrations as well as so-called ‘fine art’ in the same space. We believe that they’re equally wonderful.”

Illustrator Raul Colón joins Mr. Michelson during the opening reception on July 9. Mr. Colón’s work has appeared in numerous publications and more than 30 books. His most recognizable piece, a mosaic titled Primavera, welcomes travelers at the 191st street subway station in New York City’s Washington Heights. The show includes the original colored pencil drawing of the piece.

On July 11, Mr. Colón will lead a workshop on painting with colored pencils.

And as part of the ongoing exhibit, Mr. Michelson will team up with poet Martin Espada for a poetry reading on July 20. The two will host a conversation on banned books the following day.

Ms. Smith said that she is excited to bring Mr. Michelson back to the gallery to challenge visitors’ notions of representation both in and of art.

“Art is all around us, and it can be an inspiration wherever we are,” she said. “It’s important that people understand and appreciate art everywhere, including in subway stations and picture books”