MURALS

Through a series of mural projects, Yollocalli students have been able to participate in one of the most popular Mexican art forms. Students leaned the detailed process involved in creating a large-scale composition while working with a group of fellow artists. The projects encouraged them to express a positive representation of themselves, their history, culture and community while producing creative, vibrant work on a variety of themes.

Greyhound Bus Lines
In the summer of 2001 the students of Yollocalli participated in a six-week collaborative with Gallery 37. Our students were commissioned to paint two large-scale murals for the main Greyhound Bus Terminal in Chicago. The north wall has a predominately indigenous theme that shows the various ancient influences. Images of the Aztec, Inca, and the Maya can be seen on the north wall. The south wall has a more contemporary theme to it. Images of Frida Kahlo, Jose Maria Morelos, and Sub-Comandante Marcos depict the many present facets of Mexico in its present time.

Chicago Commons/Terra Museum
In the summer of 2001 the Yollocalli Youth Museum participated in a mural project with the Terra Museum of American Art at the Chicago Commons childcare facility. During the six-week project students participate in many identity projects that enabled to view their neighborhood like never before. Central themes included their community, and their family. Four large panels were painted and then installed at the Terra Museum.

Chicago Transit Authority (CTA)
In a past project Yollocalli students designed and painted a CTA bus that runs on the Blue Island/Monroe Line. Students created a collage of cultural icons and historical figures that come to life as a traveling mural.

Chicago Park District Mural Project at Barret Park
Working at Barret Park located in the heart of the Pilsen community, Yollocalli students designed and painted a mural consisting of contemporary and pre-Colombian images.

Telpochcalli Elementary School Mural
A long-time partner of the Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum, Telpochcalli Elementary worked with the Yollocalli students to produce two major murals depicting Mexican history throughout the school corridors.

Yollocalli Youth Museum Mural
Yollocalli students painted a mural on the exterior of the wall of the Yollocalli/Radio Arte building. This mural is an interpretation of the activities and accomplishments being made by students working inside the building.

O'Hare International Airport Mural and Poetry Project
A commission from O'Hare International Airport gave Yollocalli students the opportunity to design and paint a mural based on the theme "Where the World Comes Together." Students wrote lines of poetry related to the airport's theme from which they culled images for the mural. Students combined their ideas into a design for the mural and combined their line into one community poem. O'Hare mounted a copy of the poem next to the mural in its CTA terminal.

Yollocalli/Gallery 37
For many years now the Yollocalli Youth Museum has worked with Gallery 37 to create many mosaic murals that now are permanently installed at the now Cooper Academy. Students participated in an eight-week project in which students learned about Mexico, Mexican Americans and other related topics. From their extensive research students created large scale mosaic murals. Figures include people like Cesar Chavez, Sor Juana Ines De La Cruz, Frida Kahlo and many more.

Alivio Mural 2001

 

 

 

 

Golden Apple Mural