Mexicantown Murals
Murals are an important instrument for culture expression. Outdoor art is easily ignored. It has no exact exhibition times, no galleries and no promotion. Even so, some local artists make it their duty to decorate the city. Some are well known, but more are anonymous. Their work dramatically changes simple and boring street scenes into colorful and impressive galleries. Some murals occupy huge walls or buildings. Others are hidden in places only a few people know about. Many of the murals in southwest Detroit were created by famous artist Vito Valdez. His art work inspires other aspiring artists to come out and revitalize and restore the Detroit community to a more peaceful state. His art work can be found in local libraries, galleries and of course the murals outside. He spent much time in southwest Detroit and is well known in his community. Vito is a community activist, working with youth to elders. He also teaches classes at the very prestigious and beautiful Detroit Institute of Art .
Corn Field- This mural painted by Vito Valdez can be found on St. Anne and Bagley Street in South West Detroit next to the Tortilla Factory. Two impressive murals with strong Mexican style and colors, painted by local artists Vito Valdez and James Puntigam, are located at this corner. One mural, a neighborhood renewal project, honors Native Americans. The purpose of the mural is writen on the right side of the mural : "In the spirit of the Indigenous people who cultivated the land that was once theirs."
City Spirit- This mural, painted in 1979 by Martin Moreno and George Vargas can be found on the corner of St. Ann Street and Bagley Street. The giant tree at the center of the mural serves as a symbol of life in many world cultures. It was restored in 1997 by Vito Valdez.
Dragon: This is the Quetzequotal Serpant Aymbol. This mural can be found on the corner of Vernor Street and the Fisher Freeway across from the Detroit Garden Park.
Diversity: This mural was a group effort by los Galanes Restaurant Group and the Ronald Mc Donald House Group-a great example of how art promotes comunity. This mural can be found on the corner of Vernor Street and the Fisher Freeway. It symbolizes diversity as a means of strength in the comunity of Detroit. 3
Empowerment- This mural can be found in the Art and Garden Park located at 75 and Vernor across the street from the Los Galanes parking lot. It was painted by Steven Perez, Enrique Esparza, and James Brutusand along with many local students.
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