Civic Engagement

Civic Engagement Project

East Los Angeles

Fabiola Mejia

Art 3170-01

 Professor Aziz

PHASE 1: THE SITE

I chose the City of East Los Angeles, California, for this project because I have lived here since I was 8 and have the most memories here. Although I technically live in Monterey Park, it's on the border between MP and East LA. I also feel East LA has a lot of rich history and valuable art worth exploring. I wanted to explore my neighborhood because it has a strong connection to Mexican American culture and Chicano history. Public art throughout East LA tells stories about its residents and important historical events. I am especially interested in how artworks let this community express itself and preserve its history. 

PHASE 2: FIELDWORK

East Los Culture Mural by Jawsh, Vals and Tokes - 2025

• Location: 4600 Whittier Blvd, East Los Angeles, CA 90022 (New Pueblo Liquor)
• Artist: Jawsh, Vals, and Tokes
• Theme: Chicano culture, local history, and community icons
• Who is represented: 
• Mexican American musicians and entertainers: Including references to Thee Midniters and Born in East L.A.
• Chicano activists: The mural references the Chicano Moratorium, an important movement protesting the Vietnam War and fighting for Mexican American civil rights.
• East LA residents: The mural celebrates the people, traditions, and experiences that shape the neighborhood.
• Local cultural figures: It incorporates references to Whittier Boulevard, Boulevard Nights, and other symbols associated with East LA.
• Excluded: Women, younger generations, and everyday community members appear to be less represented than famous male cultural figures.
• Materials: Exterior wall paint
• Sponsors: The mural credits Jawsh, Vals, and Tokes, but I could not confirm who funded it.

The East Los Culture Mural symbolizes the strong ties to Mexican American culture, Chicano history, and community pride in East Los Angeles. The mural honors the neighborhood's cultural identity with its depictions of musicians, activists, and historical people. The article emphasizes significant contributions to East LA, although it concentrates more on famous individuals than on the experiences of regular neighborhood members.

The Wall That Speaks, Sings and Shouts by Paul Botello- 2001

• Location: Ruben F. Salazar Park, 3864 Whittier Blvd, East Los Angeles.

• Artist: Paul Botello (Botello received his BFA and MFA from California State University, Los Angeles)

• Theme: Chicano identity, immigration, freedom, social justice, and Mexican American culture.

• Who is represented?

• Mexican American families, immigrants, and working-class communities.

• Musicians, including Los Tigres del Norte.

• Additional observations:

• Excluded: Other ethnic communities and individual women's stories are less emphasized.

• Materials: Acrylic paint on stucco.

• Sponsors: Los Tigres del Norte and Fonovisa.

• Inscriptions: "Necesito Mi Libertad" (I Need My Freedom) and artist/sponsor credits.

The Wall That Speaks, Sings, and Shouts symbolizes the challenges and cultural identity of the Mexican American population in East Los Angeles. Los Tigres del Norte, a well-known Mexican norteño band with lyrics on immigration, social injustice, and working-class experiences, sponsored the painting. In my opinion, Los Tigres del Norte's support of this piece is significant because their music conveys the same idea: giving voice to underrepresented people.

PHASE 3: CRITICAL ANALYSIS

In both murals, they represent the Chicano community and the Mexican-American people of East LA. The highlights of these murals include activists, musicians, and historical figures who have contributed to the neighborhood's history. However, I did notice that everyday members of the community, especially women, are not represented as much. Again, these murals are focused on Chicano history and the fight for civil rights. The East Los culture mural celebrates influential figures and historical events, while The Wall That Speaks, Sings and Shouts focuses more on freedom and the struggles of Mexican Americans. I think both of these murals help preserve some of the cultural history of East LA for our generation and future Generations. The funding and decision-making for the mural The Wall That Speaks, Sings, and Shouts was sponsored by Los Tigres del Norte and a record label. They all worked with the artist to create this artwork. For the East Los culture mural, it was created by local artists Jawsh, Vals, and Tokes. Although I cannot find information on who actually funded this art mural, I think this shows how musicians and artists can influence what stories are represented. It also makes me wonder how much input the community members had when deciding what artwork should be painted.

Phase 4: PROPOSAL

One thing I really like about the public art in East LA is how strongly it represents the history. Murals like the ones mentioned above celebrate the community's identity through music, activism, and art. However, one area that could use improvement is the representation of everyday community members, especially women. Although the murals do represent a lot of influential figures, I think that there are many local people whose contributions also deserve the same recognition. I recommend creating new public art near schools and the library, where people can enjoy it daily on their commute or on their way to school. I also think that these new murals or artwork can highlight influential Latina women and even families who have helped shape this city. Overall, I do believe that the city's public art does a very important job of celebrating the cultural history, but there is also some room to include more women representation.