Lin-Manuel Miranda at His Grandfather's Mural (2017) by Willie SepúlvedaGaleria Lin-Manuel Miranda
A Mosaic For Generations
La Placita de Güisin stands proudly as one of the focal points of the Town of Vega Alta, serving as host to numerous artistic manifestations that echoes on the roots of Lin-Manuel in Puerto Rico. Adjacent to the exhibition space of the Miranda family, there is one of the largest and most impressive mosaic murals in Puerto Rico, "Tribute to Güisin," dedicated to the memory of entrepreneur and community leader Güsin Miranda, Lin-Manuel's grandfather. Commissioned by the Miranda family, it is located at Placita Güisin, a small plaza that features traditional Puerto Rican foods, coffee and arts.
La Placita de Guisin Front View (2017) by Willie SepúlvedaGaleria Lin-Manuel Miranda
The 9’3” tall x 27’ wide mural features a mosaic portrait of Güisin connected through horizontal patterns and lines to a mosaic portrait of Lin-Manuel, which in turn is connected to another mosaic portrait of Lin-Manuel in his iconic role as Alexander Hamilton. “All of Puerto Rico is a museum,” says Lin-Manuel. “I am humbled by the mural honoring my grandfather.”
Puerto Rican Flag Mosaic Mural (2017) by Willie SepúlvedaGaleria Lin-Manuel Miranda
¡Que Bonita Bandera! / Such a Beautiful Flag!
Visiting during Placita’s off hours? You can still experience another fantastic mosaic mural by González, located by Placita’s gate at the corner of Muñoz Rivera and Colón Streets. It is available 24/7 and features a mosaic of the Puerto Rican flag in the style of Hamilton.
Lin-Manuel Miranda on Vega Alta's Main Street (2017) by Willie SepúlvedaGaleria Lin-Manuel Miranda
The murals at Placita de Güisin were inaugurated in August 2017 in a ceremony attended by Lin-Manuel, sparking a cultural and artistic renaissance in Vega Alta, where Lin-Manuel’s family is from and where he spent his childhood summers breaks.
Ongoing Arts Movement
Want to learn more about the creation of "Tribute to Güisin" and the public artwork movement in Borinquen? Check out Episode 7 of the web series "Discover Puerto Rico with Lin-Manuel Miranda".