"USC MURAL" |
 Painting a mural on the north side of the United University Church was conceived two years ago, but efforts were stalled by various painters who said the wall had too many windows and the mural would cost too much, Amaya said. "We decided to do something or nothing would ever be done," he said. "That's why the indoor mural was created." |
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Cesar Chavez Mural Through support of the Latino Parents Association, the United University Church, and the community, El Centro Chicano dedicated a mural to United Farm Worker founder Cesar E. Chavez. The mural was a collaborative effort and was dedicated in 1996. Alfredo Davalos, the artist depicts the life and principles of Chavez through images of other non-violent leaders and the work of the farm laborers. The mural is located in the Jose Carlos Lecture Hall within the facilities of El Centro Chicano. .............
Delayed MEChA mural unveiled
By Jovie Baclayon
Staff Writer A mural honoring the late Cesar E. Chavez was unveiled last night by El Centro Chicano at the United University Church. The 13 foot by 18 foot mural--titled "Un paso mas por la humanidad" (One more step for humanity)--was painted by artist Alfredo Davalos. "We are dedicating this mural to the spirit and work of Cesar Chavez, who touched the lives of all of us," said Abel Amaya, director of El Centro Chicano. "No one has done more to represent the visions, care and dignity he wanted for these people." Painted on a wall in the Jose Carlos Lecture Hall of the church, the mural depicts the struggle of the farm workers and other disadvantaged groups. "The (indoor) mural is just a beginning," said Alma Zamudio, program coordinator for El Chicano Central. "Our goal is for it to be on the outside wall (of the United University Church), so it's probably going to change. We're probably going to add more women to it." The future outdoor mural is being treated as public art. "By public art we mean an interaction of people. This will give parents and students the opportunity to become part of the mural. They can come in, see this mural and gives us their visions of Cesar Chavez," Amaya said. The mural shows a farmer, who is working hunched over, slowly raising himself until he is eventually marching tall through the doors of the church under the words "respect", "dignity" and "justice." "I was four or five when I started picking grapes," said Zamudio, a senior majoring in accounting. "I'm proud of being a farm worker because it takes courage to do such tough work. It's that courage which has given me the power to be here and to be very successful." Fifteen images of people who fought for peace and human rights are represented in the mural, including Ghandi, John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King, Jr., Magdaleno Avila and Chavez himself, whose image leads the procession. "(Cesar Chavez) was a voice for non-violence," said Magdaleno R. Avila, executive director for the Cesar Chavez Foundation. "We have violence in our streets, in our schools and even in our homes and we need to change that." The eagles in various different colors along the bottom of the mural represent the different races, whereas the eagle at the top of the mural with multiple eyes watches over the process of the march, Davalos said. "It is said that when the eagles fly, you don't need to fight anymore," he said. Painting a mural on the north side of the United University Church was conceived two years ago, but efforts were stalled by various painters who said the wall had too many windows and the mural would cost too much, Amaya said. "We decided to do something or nothing would ever be done," he said. "That's why the indoor mural was created." Davalos was chosen because he was the only artist enthusiastic about the mural from the beginning, Amaya said. "We told him what we wanted and he said `Let's do it,'" Amaya said. "Even though we are paying him, he didn't ask for money up front like the other artists, only money for paints." Amaya said even though Davalos didn't know much about Chavez at first, he felt enthralled after watching videos and reading books about Chavez's life. It took one year to decide what would be painted on the mural. "We wanted to portray Cesar Chavez as a humanist, not just a labor leader," Amaya said. "It's a nice opportunity to do something in a very simple way so that everyone can understand it," said Davalos, who spent one month painting the mural. The dedication was made in front of a crowd of more than 60 people, including members of El Centro Chicano and the Cesar Chavez Foundation, relatives of the artist and other members of the USC community. El Centro Chicano plans to acquire the funds needed to complete the large mural through fundraisers, through the church and by talking to representatives from the city, members said. A date for the outside mural has not been set, but Davalos said he hopes to have it completed as soon as possible.
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 Mural dedicado al Humanista Cesar Chavez |
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...................  El Centro Chicano plans to acquire the funds needed to complete the large mural through fundraisers, through the church and by talking to representatives from the city, members said. A date for the outside mural has not been set, but Davalos said he hopes to have it completed as soon as possible.  ...................  ...................  sketch for the interior mural |
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