Segundo Barrio Mural Tour - Texas Mountain Trail Region

LA VIRGEN
DE GUADALUPE
11
1981
restored 1991
Felipe Adame, assisted by
Jesus “Machido” Hernández
1213
900 S. Ochoa St.
Apartment complex, exterior west wall
Depicting the Virgen Mary and painted by Adame
on top of the Corona Grocery, this mural was
created at the request of the Cornejo Family and the
Thunderbirds. Adame financed the project and it
took 6 months to complete. Major sponsors of the
project include the League of United Latin American
Citizens (LULAC), Ruidoso Grocery, and others.
Adame later restored the mural with aid from
neighborhood youth in 1991 and with a $5,000
grant from the Junior League’s Los Murales Project.
A central figure of Chicano culture, the Virgen Mary
is a common theme of murals in the area.
ENTELEQUIA/
ENTELECHY
1976
2007
restored 1989
Carlos Rosas, assisted by Felipe Gallegos
13
801 S. Florence St.
Chicano writer Ricardo Sanchez wrote a piece
titled “Entelequia III,” surrounding the concept
of entelechy (the realization of potential). Later,
Sanchez would write a prose-poem titled
“Entelequia” to Segundo Barrio Muralist Carlos
Rosas, who would go on to title his mural
accordingly. This realization of potential that
entelechy indicates the profound potential that the
community of the Segundo Barrio holds. Mural
supported by the Comprehensive Employment
Training Act (CETA) Summer Youth Project;
restoration by private donors through the Juntos Art
Association.
MATA’S GROCERY
2007
Carlos Disaster, Kiko Rodríguez
826 S. Stanton St.
Painted in the markets of the Segundo Barrio,
this mural portrays a girl sitting in a lush, pastoral
scene, reflecting the freshness of the food that
can be purchased inside the grocery store.
Mata’s is well-known in the Segundo Barrio and
most residents can remember visiting the store to
purchase fresh fruits as children.
CAS, or Creativity, Action, Service, is a component of the International Baccalaureate Diploma
program. The aim of CAS is to extend the learning experience outside the classroom, and give
students a way to give back to their community. The CAS group involved with the creation of this
brochure is comprised of five students, each with an individual role, ranging from public relations
to translation specialists. This group became involved in the murals of the Segundo Barrio last
November, after deciding that they wanted to reach out to a community of El Paso that is so
unique and culturally important.
Sources:
Juárez, Miguel. Colors on Desert Walls: the Mural of El Paso. 1. Texas Western Press, 1997. Print.
*For a complete list of Segundo Barrio murals painted before 1997, see pages 91–96.
A Special Thanks to:
The muralists that lent their artistic vision to capture the spirit and culture of El Segundo Barrio, a
neighborhood worthy of their time and energies.
Mr. Gary Berglund, Mrs. Penny Berry, and Mrs. Rachel Bhattacharyya of Coronado High School
Jesus “Cimi” Alvarado, Artist
Miguel Juárez, doctoral student (History, UTEP)
Salvador Balcorta & Centro de Salud Familiar Clinica La Fé
Osvaldo Velez & the Southside Neighborhood Association
Dr. Yolanda Leyva, Chair (History, UTEP)
Kalavera Studios
El Paso Museum of History
Museums and Cultural Affairs Department, City of El Paso
Printing and design donated by Visit El Paso
Werc Alvarez
801 S. Florence St.
This mural demonstrates the youthful resurgence
in the artistic community of the Segundo Barrio. It
incorporates vivid images and a fluorescent color
scheme to pop at the audience. Being that it is
painted in front of the boys and girls club, it was
important that it appealed to children and the youth
in general. With these images and coloring it
accomplished just that.
12
BOYS & GIRLS CLUB
MURAL
Jesus “Cimi” Alvarado, Victor “Mask” Casas
801 S. Florence St.
This very recently created mural was created
with the message that despite the neighborhood’s
difficult history, the people have stood strong and
overcome their hardships. It does this through
the depiction of two old Chicano musicians. The
unveiling of this mural featured the musician Kiko
Rodriguez playing Mexican corridos song.
12
EL CORRIDO DEL
SEGUNDO BARRIO
2012
DOWNTOWN EL PASO
Visitor Center
1 805 S. El Paso St.
2 231 E. Father Rahm Ave.
3 515 S. Mesa St.
4 513 E. Father Rahm Ave.
5 615 S. Campbell St.
6 700 S. Ochoa St.
7 900 E. Father Rahm Ave.
SEGUNDO
EL BARRIO
MURALS
When thinking of El Paso, one commonly thinks of the warmth of the climate,
richness of the food, or the compassion of the people; a compassion that’s rooted
in our culture. Though the essence of this culture is a melding of both American and
Mexican, nowhere in North America is it more evident than in
an area at the heart of El Paso, El Segundo Barrio.
What is El Segundo Barrio?
10 801 E. 7th Ave.
During a migration of Mexicanos to the U.S. in the 1880s, the neighborhood
established itself as a thriving economic center and grew by the thousands. People
emigrated from all over the south to El Segundo Barrio with hopes of work and a
starting a new life. Because of this, El Segundo Barrio was the beginning of the
urbanization of El Paso into the large city that is today.
11 900 S. Ochoa St.
What does “El Segundo Barrio” mean?
8 608 S. St. Vrain St.
9 1200 E. 9th Ave.
12 801 S. Florence St.
13 826 S. Stanton St.
El Segundo Barrio translates, literally, from Spanish into “The Second Ward”. As
El Paso was being populated, several distinct neighborhoods or “wards” were
established and the “Second” of these neighborhoods developed into what we now
know as El Segundo Barrio.
El Segundo Barrio is home to dozens of masterfully illustrated murals that embrace
the neighborhood’s rich Chicano cultural ties, displaying the artistic talent that is
evident among its people. This brochure provides a walking tour of some of the
most beautiful and meaningful murals in El Paso and we sincerely hope you enjoy it.
PINK & BLACK
CROSS
WOMEN OF JUAREZ
1
Artist Unkown
805 S. El Paso St.
Commercial building, exterior north wall
This mural was created as a memorial to the women
of Cd. Juárez who died of AIDS in the 1990’s. As
El Paso’s sister city, many El Pasoans had relatives
in Cd. Juárez who passed away from this epidemic
and this mural was created to reflect the impact of
their deaths across the borders.
Francisco Delgado, Mauricio Olague,
50 Bowie High School students
231 E. Father Rahm Ave.
Sacred Heart Tortilleria & Restaurant,
Exterior south wall
Commissioned by Sacred Heart Church and others
opposed to the Downtown Revitalization Plan, the
mural features several figures surrounding a crucified
Jesus Christ. Each figure in the mural is symbolic
of an important member of the Segundo Barrio’s
community.
2
SACRED HEART
MURAL 2007
FRANCISCO
MARTINEZ
3
2005
Carlos Rosas
5
515 S. Mesa St.
Martinez Brand, exterior wall
This mural was painted as an homage to
Francisco Martinez who was the founder of the
Martinez Brand of Mexican Foods. His cookery
produced authentic Mexican foods and helped
bring Mexican foods into the lives of home sick
Juarenzians.
Los Muralistas Del Barrrio
(Arturo “Tury” Avalos, Gabriel “Gabby” Ortega,
Pablo Schaffino, and Pascual Ramírez)
513 E. Father Rahm Ave.
Apartment complex, exterior west wall
Titled “Segundo Barrio, this is one of the
quintessential murals of the Segundo Barrio. Painted
under La Campaña Pro La Preservación del Barrio,
Los Muralistas del Barrio painted this in rectangular
letters with a geometric Aztec influenced design. The
mural became a proud symbol of the barrio which
was under the threat of urban development at the
time. It inspired pride in the identity of the Segundo
Barrio. The Aztec influence is an important part of
Chicano arts and culture.
4
SEGUNDO BARRIO
1975
IZTACCÍHUATL &
POPOCATÉPETL
1991
Felipe Adame, Varrio Quinta Street (VQS)
members, and others.
615 S. Campbell St.
El Paso Housing Authority Apartment Complex,
exterior east wall
The 26 by 22 foot long colossal mural features
two Aztec gods it was named after, Iztaccíhuatl
and Popocatépetl. Iztaccíhuatl and Popocatépetl
represent La Leyenda de los Volcanes, which is
a Nahua myth of two gods who fell in love and
were punished for visiting earth. In the Nahuatl
tongue she is called Iztaccíhuatl, which means
the woman of snow or sleeping woman; and
Popocatépetl means the smoking mountain.
Carlos Rosas, assisted by Felipe Gallegos
700 S. Ochoa St.
La Fé Clinic, exterior north wall
Titled “Sacred Family or Tribute to the Chicano
Family,” Carlos Rosas painted 10 foot by 10 foot
mural on the façade of Centro de Salud Familiar
Clinica La Fé building. The mural depicts the family
in the form of a man, woman and child. The image
resembles a Chicano poster titled “La Familía, printed
by AMATL Publications and signed “Chinas 62.”
6
SACRED
FAMILY/
SAGRADA FAMILIA/
TRIBUTE TO THE CHICANO FAMILY
1990
7
EL CHUCO Y QUÉ/
EL PASO SO WHAT?
1991
Carlos Callejo, assisted by Alejandro Martel,
Raymundo “Rocky” Avila, Antonio Mercado,
Manuel Arrellano, and Frank Mata.
900 E. Father Rahm Ave.
at South Virginia Street
The term “El Chuco,” is local slang for the city
of El Paso, and the tile of the mural translates to
“El Paso, So What?” This mural was intended
to reflect how the world generally views the
entire state of Texas as cowboy country, and
that this stereotype does not represent the city
of El Paso. Muralist Carlos Callejo states:
“We are much more than just cowboys—we
are a unique blend of cultures.”
Jesus “Cimi” Alvarado, Francisco Rodriguez
608 S. Saint Vrain St.
La Fe Clinic, exterior walls
This building is covered on all walls by a
continuous mural. The artwork of the building
in particular focuses facets of Chicano culture.
The rear of the building in particular focuses on
childhood through its depiction various Mexican
games such as La Loteria (as referenced by the
large, colorful playing cards. There are also two
large Aztec styled figures playing soccer, the most
popular sport of Mexico. There is also a hyperrealistic depiction of a child playing with a toy
truck in a sandbox. This is a replication of a photo
taken of an actual Chicano boy. The other walls
of the building reflect Aztec geometric figures and
hyper realistic depictions of flora.
8
POR LA RAZA
2009-2010
9
GUARDIAN ANGEL
1988
Joe Isais, Alex Castro, Mario Barrozo, Jorge
Aparicio, Alfredo Carmona, and Carlos Lugo
1200 E. 9th Ave., Building #73
Ambrosio Guillen Housing Complex,
Exterior north wall
This Mural was commissioned by both gang
members and ex gang members of El Paso who
were displeased by the involvement of youth in
gang activity and gang violence. In this mural
an angel is depicted to be looking over two
small children. This angel is representative of
protection the community wants over its youth.
Carlos Callejo with students from the Upper Rio
Grande Private Industry Council (PIC) Summer
Youth Employment Program and the Chicano AIDS
801 E. 7th Ave.
Through funding by the Chicano AIDS Coalition,
PIC, and La Fe Clinic, Carlos Callejos painted
this mural in depicting AIDS breakouts in the
neighborhood during the 1980’s specifically
around the La Fe Clinic. Controversy surrounded
the inclusion of a nude women inside a tornado
which was representative of the susceptibility of
women to the virus.
10
AIDS
1988