Jonathan Castillo's 'Immigrant Owned' portfolio displays immigrant stories of Chicago businesses

Jonathan Castillo's 'Immigrant Owned' arrives at the Block Museum

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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A photography exhibit by artist Jonathan Castillo, titled 'Immigrant Owned,' is now on display at the Block Museum at Northwestern University. The exhibit features over a dozen photographs that highlight the stories and experiences of immigrant-owned small businesses in Chicago. Castillo's work aims to uplift immigrant communities and promote understanding of the diverse cultures that make up the city.

Why it matters

Castillo's 'Immigrant Owned' project challenges the historical use of photography to enforce negative stereotypes about immigrants. Instead, the exhibit celebrates the vibrant immigrant communities that contribute to Chicago's culture and economy. By sharing the personal stories of immigrant business owners, the project encourages the public to consider the nuances of immigration reform and the varied experiences of different immigrant groups.

The details

Castillo's 'Immigrant Owned' series began in 2017 when the photographer was inspired by the unique designs and atmospheres of immigrant-owned small businesses throughout Chicago. The project features over a dozen photographs that capture the diverse cultures and backgrounds of the business owners, from a Polish gift shop to a Senegalese grocery store. Castillo's work has been displayed in various public spaces around Chicago, and the Block Museum is now hosting a selection of the photographs.

  • Castillo began the 'Immigrant Owned' project in 2017.
  • The exhibit is on display at the Block Museum through March 8, 2026.

The players

Jonathan Castillo

An artist and photographer who grew up in a Mexican family in Los Angeles and later moved to Chicago for graduate school, where he began the 'Immigrant Owned' project to highlight the stories of immigrant-owned small businesses in the city.

Myrna García

A Latina and Latino Studies professor at Northwestern University who researches Chicago immigration activism and discussed how photography has historically been used to enforce negative stereotypes about immigrants.

Alexa Murphy

A Block Museum Student Associate who helped organize the event featuring Castillo and his 'Immigrant Owned' project, stating that the exhibit aligns with the museum's goal of bringing in art that tells stories from the perspectives of the people they represent.

Heartland Alliance Health

A nonprofit organization in Chicago that focuses on supporting immigrants, and has worked with Castillo on projects photographing shelters for minors who arrive in the United States without their parents, as well as apartments for refugees.

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What they’re saying

“I want (viewers) to engage and relate to just one thing. We all came from somewhere, whether it's us, our grandparents, our parents. I hope that knowledge keeps people grounded, so that we are more likely to accept difference and multiculturalism.”

— Jonathan Castillo, Photographer (dailynorthwestern.com)

“Think Ellis Island, photography was used to inspect immigrants... to promote a narrative of gatekeeping and exclusivity. We sweep things under the rug by saying 'land of the immigrants, come and be welcome,' but (Castillo's work) is what helps show that in practice.”

— Myrna García, Latina and Latino Studies Professor (dailynorthwestern.com)

“What do we mean by immigration reform? A person on a student visa, someone who is having a document adjustment because they married a U.S. citizen and an undocumented child all need different things. What systemic changes are we talking about, and for whom?”

— Jonathan Castillo, Photographer (dailynorthwestern.com)

What’s next

The exhibit will be present and free to the public through March 8, 2026.

The takeaway

Castillo's 'Immigrant Owned' project challenges the historical use of photography to exclude and stereotype immigrants, and instead uplifts the diverse immigrant communities that contribute to Chicago's vibrant culture and economy. By sharing the personal stories of immigrant business owners, the exhibit encourages the public to consider the nuances of immigration reform and the varied experiences of different immigrant groups.