Murals of Boyle Heights

This story was created by students at the University of California, Riverside for a class project in Ethnic Studies 132 and should only be used for educational purposes.

Boyle Heights lies east of the Los Angeles River and three major freeways form a boundary for this community. Boyle Heights is know for its Latinx and Chicanx community. However, in the the 1920's and 30's most of its inhabitants were Jewish. The core of this community was located in Brooklyn Avenue, now known as Cesar Chavez Avenue. It wasn't until the 1960's when Boyle Heights became a predominately Latinx community.

In 1994 Brooklyn Avenue was renamed Cesar Chavez Avenue because of the fact that Latinos made up the majority of the population of Boyle Heights. Bellow is an image of the mural done in order to commemorate this name change.

"A story that not only has to do with Cesar Chavez, it has to do with the concept of the changes that is happing in the community. Thats why I have him holding up different types of people. This represents the sequence from generation to generation. ( John Zender Acosta)"

We were fortunate enough to get in contact with the artist John Zender Estrada, who goes by his artistic name Zender. Zender was born in East L.A. and has produced more that 300 hundred murals in LA and throughout the United States. We interviewed Zender and asked him about his mural Rescate which is located in Cesar Chavez Avenue. Zender was commissioned by the Cesar Chavez Foundation to paint a mural in an effort to educate the community about Cesar Chavez. The foundation wanted to educate the public because the street name had been changed from Brooklyn to Cesar Chavez. Fun fact Zender every year restores this mural.

Estrada Courts is a housing project built in 1942-1943 in Boyle Heights. In the 1970's a mural project went underway. During this time 80 murals were painted throughout the courts. All of the murals were painted by Chicanos and provide visual representation of culture, life and traditions of those living in the neighborhood. Many of the murals remain today.

"No matter where you stand in the housing project, declarations of community chicanismo abound. Details change from mural to mural, but the overall message is coherent and focused: respect the ancient past and recent history, appreciate community, consider future possibilities, support labor and activism, embrace myth and religion, and be proud of being of Mexican decent, of being Chicano" (Barnet-Sanchez, 47).

Chicano Ancestors highlights key historical icons Cesar Chavez (1927-1993), Emiliano Zapata (1879-1919) and Francisco "Pancho" Villa. In the background we see images of Indigenous people and symbolism.

Frank Fierro's "Orale Raza is striking. The large modernist lettering of the Spanish imperative voice interpellates viewers into La Raza and into Estrada, saying to entrants: La Raza is here" (Barnet-Sanchez, 62).

We Are Not a Minority, a powerful image, a powerful statement. This mural, the message it is sending, speaks to all the murals of Estrada Courts, as well as murals everywhere. It is a statement and a claim. It is another way of re-claiming space with an emphasis on the proclamation of "we are here to stay."

Isabel Peinado, at 15 years old spent 600 hours over the course of a summer painting "Empowerment," a mural dedicated to inspirational women on the corner of 4th and Camulos Streets. This mural beautifully displays women, from all walks of life, chosen by Peinado in hopes of inspiring young girls, women and the community. When asked about her intentions for painting such a diverse group of women, the young artist said she hopes "to remind people that we are a country of immigrants and that's what makes us unique and beautiful, like the women in this mural."

Love Our Mothers

Located off of E Cesar Chaves Ave., this mural depicts a beautiful Indigenous women, colorful and vibrant. She is shown to have strength and a powerful presence. The message, "Love Our Mothers" makes a call to not only love our mothers in the familial sense but also in terms of culture and heritage.

From Brookland to Sunset

This mural boldly expresses that "Culture is Power." It is a visual representation of this and in addition it says it out right. The classic car speaks to the presents of classic cars in Chicanx culture. "From Brooklyn to Sunset" speaks directly to the fact that E Cesar Chavez Ave., where this mural is located, was once called Brooklyn Ave.

Corrido de Boyle Heights

Painted by East Los Streetscapers, David Botello and Wayne Alaniz Healy. This mural stands out on the corner of E Cesar Chavez Ave. and Soto St. A rich and vibrant depiction of Mexican culture. This mural presents love for and pride in the community.

Mural by @sart95

Here a small mural, in between shops on E Cesar Chavez Ave., brightens the space with it's beautiful colors. In Boyle Heights treasures like this can be found all over. There is beauty everywhere.

Knowledge

A vibrant lettering, a powerful message. Knowledge is power and this mural calls attention to that. We can interpret this as a call to access knowledge, through a variety of means, as well as share knowledge. The colors are call attention to the message and add beauty to the street.

La Virgin de Guadalupe

The Patron Saint of Mexico and the Patroness of the Americas. On December 9th, 1531, she appeared to Juan Diego, an Indigenous man, and asked him to build a shrine in what is now Mexico City. Her appearance shows that of a woman of mixed Indigenous and Spanish origin. La Virgin is an iconic figure, representing culture, religion, patriotism, and pride.

When looking at this mural I think of connection. I see familial connection as well as connection to the earth, to all things natural. I see a grandmother figure caring for a young woman, I see beauty and Indigenous roots.

The Greatest Love

This is one piece of a mural painted by Paul Botello. It is located on the corner of E Cesar Chavez Ave. and Soto St. This portion is a variation of the sacred heart and speaks to natures' connection to "all humanity and ultimately the divine, beginning here, in the barrio" (Barnet-Sanchez, 235).

Moctezuma

Painted by Manuel Cruz on the side of Moctezuma Cafe on the corner of E Cesar Chavez Ave. and Bernal Ave., this mural pays homage to the leader of the Aztec Empire, one who ruled when the Spanish arrived in present day Mexico in the early 1500's. The mural is a holds a direct connection to the Indigenous roots of many residents of Boyle Heights.

Sugar skulls, located just off of E Cesar Chavez Ave. This mural brightens the street and is representative of Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead.

Sabiduria de Madre

Sabiduria de Madre, Mother's wisdom, is painted next to John Zender's "Rescate," on E Cesar Chavez Ave. A strong Indigenous mother, painted in black and white and surrounded by Indigenous symbolism, This vibrant mural represents pride in one's roots and a call to pay homage to one's ancestry.