Art for the Children: The Jose Marti Mural

Sep 22

Hello friends!

I'm incredibly honored to share about a recent mural that was a true labor of love: a piece for the Jose Marti Child Development Center at El Centro de la Raza. This project was profoundly meaningful to me, as it connected my art to a place with a deep history of community and social justice in Seattle. It was a beautiful opportunity to use my art to give back and to contribute to a space where children learn and grow.

El Centro de la Raza, or "The Center for People of All Races," has been a hub for the Latino community for over 50 years, championing social justice and working to build what Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. called the "Beloved Community." The Jose Marti Child Development Center is an essential part of this vision, and my mural was created specifically for the children who attend the center.

The mural's design is inspired by the center's mission and a powerful quote from Jose Marti himself, the Cuban national hero and poet for whom the center is named. The open book in the center of the mural represents the power of education and knowledge, while the children of different backgrounds are meant to reflect the center's commitment to cultural diversity and unity. The words on the pages, written in both English and Spanish, carry the core message of the mural:

English:

All the children of the world

Let's make a circle,

in a thousand languages

we will sing,

in peace

we want

to grow

Spanish:

Todos los niños del mundo

vamos una rueda hacer

en mil lenguas

cantaremos, en paz

queremos crecer

This project was a humbling reminder that art is more than just a painting on a wall; it's a living symbol of a community's enduring belief in power, culture, and unity. It was an honor to contribute to the next generation of leaders who will carry these values forward.

Thanks for being here,

Angelina V.

P.S. If you’re curious to learn more, this video provides an overview of the history of El Centro de la Raza, which provides important context for the mural project. Unsettled Territory | El Centro de la Raza