Artist preserves East Austin’s Hispanic culture through murals – NPR’s Next Generation Radio

I worked with NPR’s Next Generation Radio Project at KUT in Austin to create a non-narrated radio piece I am proud to share.

The subject for my project was muralist Felipe Garza from Austin’s District 3.

From NextGenRadioTexas.org:

Austin’s East Cesar Chavez neighborhood was the heartbeat of the Mexican-American community. Now, development is threatening the area’s traditional art and culture.

Muralist Felipe Garza has created public art in Austin for more than 30 years. His work celebrates the history of the Mexican-American experience and preserves the heritage of the neighborhood. Recently, one of his pieces, the La Lotería mural, was painted over when South By Southwest commissioned a new mural in its place. The destruction of the mural angered long-time residents who had appreciated it for almost three decades.

Austin’s East Cesar Chavez neighborhood was the heartbeat of the Mexican-American community. Now, development is threatening the area’s traditional art and culture. Muralist Felipe Garza has created public art in Austin for more than 30 years. His work celebrates the history of the Mexican-American experience and preserves the heritage of the neighborhood. Recently, one of his pieces, the La Lotería mural, was painted over when South By Southwest commissioned a new mural in its place. The destruction of the mural angered long-time residents who had appreciated it for almost three decades. PRODUCED BY: Estefania DeLeon MENTOR: Charla Bear

Click here to take a look at my complete project and for more information on the program.