Highly Endangered Murals

Against Domestic Colonialism. Arnold Belkin, New York City, 1972. 60' x 70'(est.)

This is the only surviving mural in the United States by Mexican master Arnold Belkin, one of the most important 20^th century muralists. It illustrates the struggle between communities and urban renewal programs, one of the most common mural themes for the first phase of the community mural movement (1965-73). Since its painting in 1972, the wall has suffered serious drainage and surface flaking problems, which continue unabated today. This mural was assessed in September 2011 through a partnership between Rescue Public Murals, the West 46th Street Block Association, CITYarts, Inc., and other concerned neighbors. Read more . . .

Portion of Centro Cultural de la Raza murals, Felipe Adame, Mario Aguilar, Guillermo "Yermo" Aranda, David Avalos, Salvador Barajas, Samuel Llamas, Victor Ochoa, Antonia Perez, Antonio Perez Pazos, Arturo Roman, San Diego, 1974, 20' x 325' (est.) (Photo by Duane R. Chartier)

The Centro Cultural de la Raza in San Diego’s Balboa Park is the city’s longest-standing organization devoted to Latino, Chicano, Mexican and Indigenous art, and culture and 20-foot high murals wrap the 400-foot circumference of its circular building. The murals were painted in 1974 by ten Chicana/o artists, some of whom still reside in the San Diego area. A January 2009 assessment by Rescue Public Murals documented that the murals on the southern exposure have deteriorated, graffiti and graffiti removal have harmed the original artwork, and building equipment has interfered with the murals’ appearance and artists’ intent. Intervention by the original artists is now needed to restore this unique piece of mural history.

Right portion of Multi-Cultural Progression, Zara Kriegstein, Santa Fe, NM, 1981, 15' x 80' (Photo by Chrissie Orr)

In September 2008, paintings conservator Steven Prins and muralist Zara Kriegstein assessed Multi-Cultural Progression, a mural located on the on Empire Builders Supply Company in Santa Fe. The mural depicts the historical movements of the diverse peoples of New Mexico and how they have learned to live together. It was painted in 1981 by an equally diverse team of artists and students lead by Ms. Kriegstein. An extensive restoration plan has been proposed to correct the marked fading and cracking of the mural. Read more...

Innocence, Norma Montoya, Los Angeles, 1975, 17' x 31', one of the 52 murals of Estrada Courts. (Photo by Moira Egan)

A cluster of about 50 murals is located at the Estrada Courts housing project on Olympic and Lorena in East Los Angeles. Chicano artists from Los Angeles, San Diego, and Northern California painted these murals during the height of the Chicano civil rights and art movements. The Estrada Courts buildings have been recently rehabilitated and the time is right to refurbish the artistic heart of the community as well. Six murals were assessed by Rescue Public Murals in May and June 2007. Read more....

SIDA en Colores, Carlos Callejo, El Paso, 1988, 16' x 75'.

In this mural, artist Carlos Callejo, whose major work includes interior murals in the new El Paso courthouse, illustrates a terrible “AIDS tornado” sweeping victims away from their city. The Texas sun, graffiti, and the structural instability of the wall are all having a negative impact on the mural. It was assessed by Rescue Public Murals in October 2007 by the artist and conservator Steven Prins of Steven Prins & Company, Santa Fe, New Mexico, and they have proposed a plan for its restoration. Read more....

Under City Stone, Caryl Yasko, 1972, Chicago, 12' x 200'. (Photo by Will Shank)

Under City Stone by Caryl Yasko was assessed by Rescue Public Murals in July 2008. The artist, mural conservators Elizabeth Kendall and Peter Schoenmann of Parma Conservation, Ltd., and Chicago Public Art Group staff participated in the assessment. After 35 years of exposure to pollution, dampness, and temperature fluctuations on the walls of a commuter rail underpass, the mural has degraded significantly. The assessment will help develop a plan to bring this dynamic community artwork back to life. Read more...

Photo caption: Crossroads, Carol Byard and Marilyn Lindstrom, 1997, Minneapolis, 20’ x 110’. (Photo by Anton Rajer)

Crossroads, a mural by Carol Byard and Marilyn Lindstrom in south Minneapolis was created in 1997 in collaboration with community artists including Native American, Euro American, Asian American and dozens of neighborhood youth. Despite the passage of time and significant fading, cracking, paint loss, and staining, the mural still holds a special place in the hearts of local citizens. The mural is one of the few community murals by an African American woman. The 2,200 square foot mural was assessed by Rescue Public Murals in December 2008 so that a plan may be made for its restoration.

Song of Unity. Anna DeLeon, Osha Neumann, Ray Patlán, and O'Brien Thiele, Berkeley, 1978. 15' x 40' (est.)

This mural, a dynamic community landmark on La Peña Cultural Center in Berkeley, is made of acrylic paint on Masonite, paper mache, fired ceramics, and fiberglass sculpture. These mixed materials, in addition a rotting wooden sub-structure, make the restoration of the mural a particular challenge. The mural was assessed by ARG Conservation Services of San Francisco and the artists in June 2008 and they are developing a plan to save it. Read more....

All of Mankind, William Walker, Chicago, 1973.

All of Mankind is one of the few remaining outdoor murals of William Walker, a primary artist behind the Wall of Respect (1967) the mural that began the community mural movement. It covers the interior and exterior of the Strangers Home Missionary Baptist Church near the former Cabrini-Green housing project. In the past thirty years, the colors have faded and the surface has been abraded; the building itself is also threatened by redevelopment. Read more...