8 Stages of the Life of a Chicana

This mural is currently being restored by first-time Lead Muralists, Gerardo and Cardee Garcia. The restored mural will be blessed in early April, 2004. Stay tuned for more information on the mural blessing and dedication.

Garardo and Cardee work on the restoration of the "8 stages" mural, originally created by Cruz Ortiz and community youth.

Location: Trinity and Tampico

Mural Dimension: 40’ X 7’

Lead Artist: Cruz Ortiz, Carlos Espinosa, Jackie Riojas, neighborhood youth

Blessing and dedication date: December 23, 1995 

Description of mural: 8 stages follows the life and cultural/spiritual education and growth of a Chicana living in the Westside of San Anto.  From birth, to adolescence, to wife, to senior citizen, “8 Stages” allegorically tells the tale of one woman’s journey through life, love, and happiness.  An interesting note regarding the design  of this mural is that the theme was developed and inspired by the structure of the wall.  The lead artists and mural crew, consisting of middle and high school students from in and around the Alazan-Apache Public Housing neighborhood, utilized the 8 paneled wall, located at the Santa Cruz Day Care Center, to create a life-sized, public story book.  This mural is scheduled for restoration in late 2001 or early 2002.  This mural was featured, without authorization, in a major Coca Cola commercial.