In honor of the Latina/Latino Studies Program's 10th anniversary, artist Oscar Martinez restored, completed, and added to murals on the walls of the house at 510 E. Chalmers Street in Champaign where the program is located. Martinez started the murals 30 years ago when he was a student, using his own paints and small donations from other students.
"The wall mural represents the struggles that Latino students had individually and collectively during the 1970s but are situated within the larger economic, political, and social movements among Latinos in the U.S. at the time," said Arlene Torres, director of the Latina/Latino Studies Program.
A new mural on the ceiling (inset photo) represents the accomplishments made by Latino students on campus and the Latino community as a whole during the 30 years since artist Oscar Martinez painted the wall murals. The doves taking flight also symbolizes a growing awareness by contemporary students of the issues facing the Latino community today.
