|
|
Nicaragua is a country rich in artistic traditions, including the use of public murals to educate and inspire; and the city of Esteli is an incubator of this culture of creativity. Known as a stronghold during the 1979 revolution, the city has rebuilt itself over forty years and its modern heritage includes over 100 murals of community expression.
In 2008, ICAS/Juntos Adelante was approached by Julio Moreno who, as a youth in the eighties was selected to maintain this rich tradition of murals as a member of a group of professional artists. Today, Julio is the leader of artisans, Colectivo de Muralistas David Alfaro Siqueiros , who create murals locally, nationally and internationally. In Julio’s own words, the Colectivo de Muralistas is a “group of five main members who are committed to the rescue of our values, identity, culture and committed to social awareness through murals”. And because Julio is deeply committed to keeping young teenagers out of gangs and \illegal drug trade, he creates opportunities for them to participate in the mural process.
In developing a mural Julio and his team of artisans work with the community from start to finish, including brainstorming ideas, drafting sketches, educating participants about the theme of the mural while painting, and organizing crews to perform the painting itself.
In 2008, ICAS/Juntos Adelante was approached by Julio Moreno who, as a youth in the eighties was selected to maintain this rich tradition of murals as a member of a group of professional artists. Today, Julio is the leader of artisans, Colectivo de Muralistas David Alfaro Siqueiros , who create murals locally, nationally and internationally. In Julio’s own words, the Colectivo de Muralistas is a “group of five main members who are committed to the rescue of our values, identity, culture and committed to social awareness through murals”. And because Julio is deeply committed to keeping young teenagers out of gangs and \illegal drug trade, he creates opportunities for them to participate in the mural process.
In developing a mural Julio and his team of artisans work with the community from start to finish, including brainstorming ideas, drafting sketches, educating participants about the theme of the mural while painting, and organizing crews to perform the painting itself.
Originally, ICAS/Juntos Adelante brought the members of the Colectivo de Muralistas into active dialogue with local women’s health providers and activists to ensure inclusion of gender equality, and maternal and reproductive health topics in the murals. ICAS/Juntos Adelante has financially sponsored nine murals that promote gender equality, cervical cancer prevention, adolescent wellness and pregnancy prevention, global health exchange, midwifery, rural health topics, healthy families and communities. Each of the murals has been completed in a timely manner and within budget.
Imagine San Francisco's Mission District without its murals or the Sistine Chapel without a ceiling! Murals breathe life and cultural heritage into public settings where without them stories, can be lost. In Esteli, treasured murals of the old government health center were lost when the building was decommissioned. Now that the new Centro de Salud has been built, there is a desire for murals to once again beautify and narrate the history and traditions of this vital center for the people of Esteli.
Through this partnership, the artisans will continue to produce original murals that showcase and encompass the hope and values of community, which include access to care and health for all.
Imagine San Francisco's Mission District without its murals or the Sistine Chapel without a ceiling! Murals breathe life and cultural heritage into public settings where without them stories, can be lost. In Esteli, treasured murals of the old government health center were lost when the building was decommissioned. Now that the new Centro de Salud has been built, there is a desire for murals to once again beautify and narrate the history and traditions of this vital center for the people of Esteli.
Through this partnership, the artisans will continue to produce original murals that showcase and encompass the hope and values of community, which include access to care and health for all.
