The Art of the Mural

"Tribute to Güisin" - Stunning Outdoor Artwork

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.” 

Celso Gonzalez at La Placita de Güisin's Inauguration (2017) by Willie SepúlvedaGaleria Lin-Manuel Miranda

Muralist Celso González, who created the mural, says: “I wanted to feature the carrying-on of legacy from Güisin to Lin-Manuel, while capturing the essence of the town where the Miranda-Concepción family had its origins, and the importance of their contributions to Puerto Rico.”

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.

Inauguration of La Placita de Güisin, Willie Sepúlveda, 2017, From the collection of: Galeria Lin-Manuel Miranda
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Lin-Manuel Miranda at the Inauguration of La Placita de Güisin, Willie Sepúlveda, 2017, From the collection of: Galeria Lin-Manuel Miranda
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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".

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