Virgen Indígena

Location: Durango and Trinity

Lead Artists: Jane Madrigal, Jose Cosme, Louie Alejandro

Partners / Collaborators: Guadalupe Community Center

Blessing and Dedication Date: Sunday, January 11, 2004

Mural Description: The Virgen Indigena Mural at the Guadalupe Community Center is SACA’s 25th Mural project. Production and inspiration for this mural began when we were contacted by Cindy Tellez, wife of Ray Tellez. As an inmate in one of Texas’ fine prisons, Ray had been submitting artwork, writngs and poetry to our Community Newspaper, El Placazo, for several years. Ray was one of our most consistent and talented contributors of prison art and writings,
submitting art pieces and poems that spoke of a troubled youth, life in prison and fantasies of freedom. These Paño Arte (handkerchief art) pieces and poetry helped Ray cope with loneliness and solitude while in prison. Cindy had come by the SACA office to let us know that Ray was going to be released from prison and needed to cancel his monthly subscription to El Placazo.

Hard Core Crew Member, Louie Alejandro, prepares the mural wall.

After several program strategy meetings, it was decided that we would to continue our relationship with Ray and expand the scope of our existing mural project structure. We offered the recently released inmate the opportunity to join our organization as a Lead Muralist. This project would serve as a bi-lateral learning tool for him to further develop his artistic talent as an artist, through the development of a Mural within his community, and by working directly with local youth, educate our community about his experiences before, during and after prison. This project was to serve as a creative method for Ray to re-associate himself with his community, while contributing and giving back profoundly to his community in the form of a public mural.

Crew Members, Louie Alejandro and Orlando Rodriguez, hard at work
on the mural.

Unfortunately, Ray was not able to complete the intened mural and the project was put on hold. In June, 2003, Jane Madrigal was hired as Community Mural Program Coordinator for SACA. One of her first assignments was to complete the mural at the Guadalupe Communiy Center “by any means necessary”. After several requested design and image changes, the project has finally been completed. What have we learned from this project? Don’t ever give up!

Students from the Inner City Home School during a mural workshop session.

We thank everyone who had anything to do with this mural project. Special thanks to Ray and Cindy Tellez y Familia, Alex Rubio, Becky Solloa, Gerry Garcia, Cardee Garcia, Jose Cosme, and Louie Alejandro.

Ruth Buentello and Louie work on finishing touches.

SACA Mural Coordinator, Jane Madrigal, works high on the scaffold.

Hard Core Mural Crew Member, Jose Cosme, starts on the
mural painting process.

SACA Video Program Coordinator, Ed Schlesinger, Louie Alejandro and Jose Cosme "chilax" at the mural blessing and dedication ceremony.

Community residents getting ready to dig into the food at the blessing and dedication.