As its 40th anniversary approaches, we are celebrating “A la esperanza,” the first mural at the Benito Juarez Community Academy in Chicago, by sharing the history of this mural’s creation. Designed by Malú Ortega and Jimmy Longoria, assisted by Salvador Vega, Marcos Raya, and Oscar Moya, 'A la esperanza' was a project by Casa Aztlán and was selected by the Pilsen community to be the first mural painted on Benito Juarez in the summer of 1979.
We are fundraising for a comic book project written and illustrated by the Benito Juarez High School Comic Club through the guidance of teaching artist Elvia Rodriguez Ochoa and BJHS art teacher Steve Vidal.
Students will time-travel back to 1979 to create a comic book illustrating this significant Pilsen art history. They will learn the process of visual storytelling that includes researching original documents on the history of Juarez High School and interviewing the artists and community residents to learn about the "A la esperanza" mural. Students will then create original artworks, interpreting the impact of public art on the community. Funds raised will help cover the costs of a 5-week summer course to produce the comic book, materials, food, research trips, printing, design costs, and supplemental needs.
When it is complete, the comic book will be used as a learning tool for teachers and students at Benito Juarez and beyond to talk about everyday histories, public art, and neighborhood murals.
“I am interested in this project because learning about
the history of Benito Juárez helps me understand why the school was built and
gives me an opportunity to give back to the school that has helped me become
the person I am today and will be in the future” - Bibiana S., youth participant
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