The Spirited Murals of Tucson’s El Rio Neighborhood
Wednesday, 07 September 2011 23:06
“It is a very community-based center that services people from infants all the way to seniors,” said Paul Natividad, a recreation assistant with Tucson Parks and Recreation. “This place is very unique. It is a role model for many other projects that expanded throughout the city.” However, the center's colorful murals lay there in the scorching Tucson sun, often observed, yet with stories untold.
In 1975, Mexican-American artist Antonio Pasos visited El Rio Center and painted the center’s first mural entitled “Familia.” Art continued to develop in El Rio Neighborhood Center when, in 1976, Mexican-American artist David Tineo painted his first mural at the center. It was the first mural he painted as a public artist. The mural represents El Movimiento, the Chicano movement of the 1960s which was an extension of the Mexican-American civil rights movement.
Tineo chose to use "la mujer," which means "the woman" in Spanish, as the central figure of the mural holding "la Raza," which is the book of heritage. La mujer holding la Raza symbolizes strength and knowledge. The three different heads represent the tri-face, which is the mixture of bloods. The cross is not only a cross but also the four directions, the four points which are blessed in traditional ceremony. The eagle represents the farm-worker eagle and people coming together to make things happen. The image of fire was to purify things in times of crisis. The symbol of fire helps us build spirit and purity.
At the Viva Tineo! mural walk, on April 16, 2010, Tineo gave a public critique of his murals at the El Rio Center. In reference to his first mural, he said, “The original idea of this piece is that you would see this is the waters of life and spirit and you commune with earth and the identity of heritage. I believe that there is a spiritual energy that we connect to and that connects us. This is the first project in 1976; it is something that came from the heart. A lot of the early projects in the '70s we began were to make a difference in our community, and give to our community heritage and culture.”
As far as the murals go, it depends on how the people who use the El Rio Neighborhood view the symbolism and significance of the wonderful paintings.
“The oldest seniors were around when the murals were created in the '70s so they have more meaning to them,” said Natividad. Fortunately, in 2007, the younger generation was given the chance to be a part of a tile mural, which was dedicated to the El Rio Neighborhood Center with the help of Paloma Jacqueline. It was created by Jacqueline, along with youths and elders from the center, and took about 10 months to complete. This mural represents life and the transformation of the community and human connecting.
Written by Kelsey Merkel You are reading The Spirited Murals of Tucson’s El Rio Neighborhood articles
News
- Take Back the Night: Cover it Live
- Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument clears air about dangers of the border
- Missing on the Border
- University of Arizona NROTC members may carry weapons on training hikes near Mexico
- The Reincarnation Tour: Celebrating a Vibrant and New Central Phoenix
- Identificame
- Market on the Move
- Republican Candidates for CD8 Special Election Speak on Border Issues
Culture
- Covering Grupo Folklorico Miztontli Live!
- "Around the World in 50 Years: Destination Guatemala"
- Cover it Live- Borderlands Community Film Series
- Islam and Hip Hop
- Preserving Cuban Architecture
- What is a Muslim Citizen?
- Dolores Sloan and the Crypto Jews of the American Southwest
- A Cemetery Full of Life
People
Education
- Rap, Culture & God Lecture
- Cover it Live - CBP's Mario Escalante will share tips of how to be a better border reporter with SPJ.
- Cover it Live: Margaret Regan Talk on Arizona-Mexico Border Stories
- Similarities Emphasized at ‘Queer-ability’ Discussion
- The Essence of Gamma Alpha Omega
- Spanish Heritage Learner Program Enhances UA Education
- Arizona Women's Heritage Trail
- Border Beat Class
Health
Sports
- Cover it Live Boxing Training Session
- UA Decathlete Strives to Make the Most of Life in the US
- Ride Report- Premises Park Progress
- The Grip On Tucson Climbing
- Shootout decides 2012 Desert Diamond Cup Championship Game
- Soccer Success Still Kicking in Tucson
- L.A Galaxy v. New York Red Bulls
- La Fiesta de los Vaqueros Tucson Rodeo
Border Beat Blogs
Educación en la FronteraBy: Shannon Maule
A look at higher education in regard to those who have and have not been able to travel from various countries to the United States. Stories from people in the higher education world relating to the border.
A Mosaic AmericaBy: Rachel Kolinski
"Exploring Diversity one Face at a Time"
By: Hope Jamieson
Explore dance throughout the borderlands.
A City of Musical DiversityBy: Maria Teracena
Tucson musicians influence and are influenced by the sounds of the world.
Culture CrossingBy: Chelsey Barthel
American borders are crossed every day by cultures of all kind. These stories tell the personal experiences of people from different lands, offering further insight into the difference of cultures.
By: Lauren Inouye
A look at Mexican and Latin films that reflect culture, politics, and society -- reviews, research and analysis.
By: Charles Misra
Stories about martial arts and combat sports with a cultural twist, all finding a home in America's southwestern borderlands.
Border PeopleBy: Jamie Turow
Profiles of English language learners.
By: Jessica Hoerth
Meet some of the people in Tucson who have made the journey across the border as they share what they came in search of and what struggles they may have encountered along the way.
By: Lauren Urratio
Fashion and how it is impacted by the border and international cultures.
By: Lucy Valencia
News from along the border with Mexico
The Border ProjectBy: Melissa Guz
"The Border Project" is an art showcase located in the University of Arizona's Museum of Art. It has over 40+ art pieces related to border issues.
Athletics and the BorderBy: Preston Fawcett
Get to know high school coachs and athletes from Arizona border towns or from Mexico and their struggles to get to where they are.
By: Audrey A. Fitzsimmons
The Southwest boasts of diverse ethnic backgrounds and a wealth of interesting personalities. Border Personalities is dedicated to the people of the Southwest and their stories.
By: Jeff Kessler
U.S. - Mexico border issues, current events, and interesting local stories
Music of the BorderBy: Steven Schiraldi
Music reviews of musical works by Mexican or other ethnic artists.
By: Brett Haupt
A visual exploration of America’s last frontier -- pictures and videos from different areas of the wall and fence that separate two different worlds and insight into what really stands between the United States and Mexico, ramifications of wall building and what it means for the average citizen.
Border AthletesBy: Lauren Sokol
Meet international student athletes at the University of Arizona, a look at the recruiting process that helped them find a temporary home in the desert, and culture changes that the athletes might have endured.
Journey Across the BorderBy: Emily Kjesbo
Spotlighting Mexico’s top travel destinations, as well as a few of its hidden gems.
Border ShotsBy: Keith Perfetti
A photojournalist looks at how other photographers have viewed the border and shoots lesser known spots of the southwest.
MLS Soccer comes to the Desert
By: Jeff Kessler
All about the 2012 Desert Diamond Cup, a 10 day exhibition soccer tournament featuring four Major League Soccor teams coming to Tucson.