More than a Mural
Learn about the incredible community-based "Healing Uvalde Mural Project" and how brightly colored murals have transformed downtown Uvalde, Texas, after an unbelievable tragedy
Robb Elementary School shooting memorial. (2022) by Al RendónSmithsonian's National Museum of the American Latino
Many Pathways to Healing
On May 24, 2022, 19 children and two teachers were killed during a mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. In the aftermath of this tragedy, artists, organizers and community came together to remember those who were killed – to use art to help heal.
Healing Community through Art
Organizers Abel Ortiz and Monica Maldonado with the assistance of Dr. George Meza led the "Healing Uvalde Mural Project," bringing 21 portrait artists to Uvalde to honor the 19 students and 2 teachers who were killed during the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School.
Muralist in front of portrait mural of Eliahna "Ellie" Amyah Garcia (2022) by Al RendónSmithsonian's National Museum of the American Latino
"I Know that Art Heals"
Abel Ortiz, Uvalde resident, artist, art professor, and founder of Art Lab, a local art space had an idea. “I thought it was going to be one mural,” explained Ortiz. “No, you know what? I’m thinking twenty-one murals. ...It needs to be monumental. It needs to be across town."
Wall of murals for Amerie Jo Garza, Maite Yuleana Rodriguez, and Eva Mireles. (2022) by Al RendónSmithsonian's National Museum of the American Latino
Coming Together
Future collaborators, psychologist and art collector Dr. George Meza and Monica Maldonado, MAS Cultura founder, were also thinking about how art could benefit the community. Together they led the creation of 21 portrait murals for the project.
Pathway to Healing
The organizers’ priority was to promote healing within the families, for survivors, and across the Uvalde community. Organizers waited until after the last funeral before approaching the families about their participation in the project.
MAS Cultura Founder posing in front of wall of murals for Jayce Carmelo Luevanos, Uziyah Garcia, Eliahna Torres, and Jose Manuel Flores (2022) by Al RendónSmithsonian's National Museum of the American Latino
Partnering with Families
Families were asked to provide a list of their loved one’s favorite things and images they wanted to feature. Once permission was granted, project manager Monica Maldonado paired each artist with a subject. Her experiences with community organizing guided her approach.
Robb Elementary School shooting memorial. (2022) by Al RendónSmithsonian's National Museum of the American Latino
Coming to Uvalde
From July to August 2022 artists came to Uvalde, toiling in the hot sun and rain, night and day to bring each portrait to life. During their time in Uvalde, artists made connections with families and even involved them in the process.
Collaborating with Families
For some artists, painting the mural was a collaboration between themselves and the families. Collaborating with the families allowed the artists to humanize the victims, bringing their personalities, likes, and likeness to the forefront.
Design Change
“I had a design change where I incorporated a Capri Sun last minute out of the respect for the family,” recalled artist Tino Ortega. “They knew their daughter. She had her own personality. It's about incorporating pieces of that personality into the image.” Listen to Ortega
Public Art Transforms Space
“The murals serve as a space that’s not a cemetery,” Ortiz said. Families have staged cookouts at the murals, children have hugged the murals of their classmates, and neighbors have shared coffee with their friends.
Hear more about how the community interacts with the murals.
Subject's parents posing in front of portrait mural of Tess Marie Mata (2022) by Al RendónSmithsonian's National Museum of the American Latino
Remembered for who they were
The murals celebrate lives lived. “They just don’t deserve to be just remembered as the victims of that horrific crime but to remember who they were,” said artist Anat Ronen. "By making the whole downtown..., a colorful gallery of ginormous murals, it won't let you forget.”
Experiencing the MuralsSmithsonian's National Museum of the American Latino
People visiting cross memorials of Irma Garcia, Joe Garcia, and others (2022) by Al RendónSmithsonian's National Museum of the American Latino
Remembering their names, honoring their lives
Nevaeh Alyssa Bravo, Jackie Jaylen Cazares, Makenna Lee Elrod, Jose Manuel Flores Jr., Eliahna “Ellie” Amaya Garcia, Irma and Joe Garcia, Uziyah Sergio Garcia, Amerie Jo Garza, Xavier James Lopez, Jayce Carmelo Luevanos, Tess Marie Mata, Maranda Gail Mathis
Remembering their names, honoring their lives
Eva Mireles, Alithia Haven Ramirez, Annabell Guadalupe Rodriguez, Maite Yuleana Rodriguez, Alexandria “Lexi” Aniyah Rubia, Layla Marie Salazar, Jailah Nicole Silguero, Eliahna Torres, and Rojelio Fernandez Torres.
Town of Uvalde with Murals (2022) by Adrian AlonzoSmithsonian's National Museum of the American Latino
Today 22 faces grace the walls of Uvalde.
To remember the lives of all of those who died please take the time to reflect on each of the 21 murals. “I’m hoping that this will not be the end of the story, but again it’ll be retold, and retold so we can’t forget,” said Abel Ortiz. Join us in remembering.
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