The 1008 North Contzen Street Mural - Tucson, AZ - Murals on Waymarking.com

Artist Statement: The murals are a reflection on the vital elements that helped shape Barrio Anita's past and future. The murals pay homage to the family members, leaders, and artists who nurture the people of Anita. These figures are intertwined with presentations of the water that once flowed through the neighborhood and which brought together a diverse population.

Description: The Barrio Anita Mural Project combines photography, mosaic and painted murals, metal features, and words into a comprehensive community art project expressing the past, present, and future of Barrio Anita, one of Tucson’s oldest neighborhoods with a population reflecting Tucson’s heritage including Native-American, Mexican-American, Chinese-American, African-American and Anglo-American residents.

This first mural includes an image of Monsignor Arsenio Carrillo, who grew up in Barrio Anita and retired after more than 30 years as pastor at St. Augustine Cathedral. It also depicts children from the neighborhood, words from a corrido - a story-telling song - written as part of the project, and a giant cactus wren picking at cactus fruit.

The 1008 North Contzen Street mural measures 16’ x 258’ and viewing the mural from the left side moving to the right the shows the following:

Moonsign or Carrillo and Saint Theresa - Monsignor Carrillo was a priest at a local church who grew up in the neighborhood. His father was a vegetable vendor. He is giving flowers as a sign of the nurturing he provided for the neighborhood. Saint Theresa stands as a symbol of the strong faith of the neighborhood. Coming from behind Monsignor Carrillo are the railroad tracks that run through the neighborhood and have a direct impact on the daily lives of its residents.
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The Mariachi pictured in the mural is Melissa Sanchez. She was a participant in the photo workshops held in the early phases of the project and she produced this image.
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Water runs through this mural again because of the proximity of Barrio Anita to the Rio Santa Cruz.
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The Cactus Wren pictured here feasts on Saguaro fruit. These images are a direct representation of native elements of the Sonoran desert and are also the state bird and state flower of the sate of Arizona.
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Piman Basket - this basket is a representation of the native cultures that lived in this region before the settlement of Tucson.
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Vivian Colter is a third generation resident of Anita. She participated in the photo workshops and in this image she cradles a globe, her world, Barrio Anita.
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The Blanket that drapes Vivian spills over to create the tablecloth where 100 year old Josefa Carrillo (photo by David Sanders) makes tortilla balls. This illustrates our need fr substance and also creates a symbiotic juxtaposition the past and future of Barrio Anita.
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Mercedes Cortez stands holding a Cottonwood tree in her hand. At the base of the tree is a heart. From the tree a flock of birds ascend into the text that follows on the right.
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Corrido - the text that flows is a corridor that was commissioned by the project. It speaks of the neighborhood, how they have suffered, that they were poor, but that they triumphed and are better.
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The mesquite tree is a common tree seen throughout the neighborhood.
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Jose Ocano is the last figure in the mural. He is a local Folklorico performer.

City: Tucson Location Name: Structure - Freeway wall facing neighborhood Artist: William Wilson & Joshua Sarantitus of Hozhographos Studios Date: 2005 Media: Cast concrete, ecrete, steel and paint. Relevant Web Site: [Web Link]

Visit Instructions:
Please give the date and description of your visit. One original photo of the mural must also be submitted. GPSr photo NOT required.

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Date Logged Log User Rating   11/11/2023 Tusmke visited it 03/31/2011 Team2002 visited it 04/29/2010 find waldo visited it

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