About
The 559 Mural Project is a collective of activists advocating for artists and the arts to address racial injustice and social & economic inequities in the rural communities in Fresno County specifically through mural art and community dialogue.
Our project will start in the City of Selma which already has a strong mural presence in the downtown area. We plan to build upon those existing efforts by painting murals in the neighborhoods that have been [economically] neglected, such as Selma's El Barrio. In each community we will 1) identify these neighborhoods, 2) develop relationships with key stakeholders, 3) organize, and 4) begin to execute mural(s) with the help of our community partners. The rural communities we are interested in beyond Selma are Fowler, Kingsburg, Parlier, Reedley, and Sanger. Together our goal is to create socially conscious and culturally relevant art that can become a focal point for a community conversation around racial justice and social & economic equity.
We hope that the murals will become a living part of the community and act as reminders and catalysts for the public to develop creative solutions to move the needle forward on change. To celebrate the completion of these murals, we will host facilitated community events with experts from Fresno State and other local institutions and organizations to help educate our neighbors on how they can become civically engaged and push for change at a systems level.#BlackLivesMatter
In the aftermath of the unjust deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Rayshard Brooks, Elijah McClain and all the countless others who lost their lives due to police brutality and institutionalized racism we are in solidarity with the #blacklivesmovement and all of our communities that have been and continue to be oppressed. As community practitioners, we are committed to creating an organization that is guided by policies that authentically improve our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (JEDI) practices. We strive to be unapologetically anti-racist and will continue to listen and learn as we do our work to bring awareness about systemic racism in our rural communities.Current Mural Projects
Educate to Elevate/Educar para Elevar Mural in Selma, CA
Buy Now!
We are using the Bonfire [store] platform a for-profit company helping non-profits reach their fundraising goals.Proceeds go directly to the Fresno Arts Council once our campaign is complete.Butterfly Design will be featured in our next mural, Educate to Elevate, in Selma, Ca. Design by our partner artist, Mikayla M. Gutierrez.
Cultural Awakenings
Official Merchandise
We are using the Bonfire platform a for-profit company helping non-profits reach their fundraising goals.
Proceeds go directly to the Fresno Arts Council once our campaign is complete.
Hecho en Selma T-Shirt
Premium Unisex Tee, $32
Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL
Colors: Banana Cream, Charcoal, Midnight Navy, Maroon, Forest Green
Youth Unisex Tee ($25)
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Colors:
Hecho en el Valle Central
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De Colores Mural
La Estrella Market | Selma, CA
Artists: Ariel Bird Howe (Lead), Mike Howe, and Mauro Carrera
Guests Artists: Eddie O. Rodriguez and Goku The Pink King
Photo Credit: Landmark Photography
Mural Description: Our Mural theme is centered on De Colores, a popular traditional Spanish-language folk song widely recognized among the Latino and Spanish speaking cultures. De Colores is a song that celebrates all of life's creation, from the joyful to the sorrowful, and evokes the beauty of a diverse world. This message is delivered in the imagery of Chicano and Mexican-American civil rights activists which includes Dolores Huerta and César Chavez, of the 1960s and '70s, to demonstrate that the fight for equity and justice is an ongoing journey. From these activists, we can draw the line to the struggles of 2020, with the Black Lives Matter movement and the magnified inequities that communities of color are facing in the midst of a global pandemic.
List of Donors:
La Estrella Market, Fresno Area Hispanic Foundation, Bobby Salazar’s Salsa, Fox Drug Store, Selma Home Depot, Tower Yoga, Marisa Andrade, The Banks Family, Heleni Maria Buchelli, The Bustinza Family, Amy E. Campbell, The Chen Harris Family, La Familia Corona Gómez, Doreen D., Sadie Davis, Celia DeLozier, Gabe & Betina, The Gomez Family, Phillip M. Gonzales, Selwa Husien, Karem & Enrique, Kassee Johnson, L.M., Mankin & Pauline Mak, Nazario P. Martinez, Jr., Olga G. Martinez, Yesenia Martinez, Selena & Erica Martinez Mak, Ernesto Palomino, Elena Chávez Quezada, Sean Reis, Sirina Resendez & Kiddos, Nick Sahota, Keanna Louise Salazar, Sharmila Girvar Singh, La Familia Soto Hernández, Trang Tran, Kristene Vasquez, Vicki & Mike, and Marianne Vivien
Photo Credit: Landmark Photography
Mural Description: Coming soon
Donors: Sirina Renee Resendez, Jeanette Barajas, Liz Pena, Elena Olmedo, Deidre Adams
Sally Jenigan-Smith, Antoinette West, Linet Mera, David Drexler, Danielle Akoidu, Jayne Gaubatz
Teresa Castillo, Nicola Cadenas, Selina Poulsen, and Jackie Hunsaker
Community Dialogue Series
Plática con Enseñamos en el Valle Central
Event Date: November 4, 2021
Event Description: This plática will discuss historical and current-day contributions of mural art as they relate to the intersections of systemic anti-racism and environmental and restorative justice in minoritized communities. Our featured panelist Selena Martinez, Co-Founder of the 559 Mural Project, will share a series of case studies that shed light on local policies and investment practices in mural art and the benefits they bring to minoritized communities. The plática will also draw important connections to K12 and higher education campus climate, inspiring healthy spaces, and building a sense of belonging. Following this initial plática, Enseñamos en el Valle Central and the 559 Mural Project will continue to spotlight mural art movements that involve youth and educators throughout Fresno, Kings, Madera, and Tulare Counties.
Learn more about Enseñamos en el Valle Central (text courtesy of Enseñamos )
Growing Our Own Latina/o/x Teachers
Enseñamos en el Valle Central is a five-year, federally-funded Developing Hispanic Serving Institution (DHSI) collaboration focused on expanding cultivating pathways for future bilingual and Latina/o/x teachers beginning in high school and continuing through community college. Our efforts establish explicit partnerships with local community college campuses, which offer a pipeline into higher education among underrepresented students of Color and Latina/o/x communities in particular.
Our mission is to cultivate and sustain current and future Latina/o/x teachers in the Central Valley across PK-16 institutions who embody commitment to equity, liberation, justice and anti-racism. Enseñamos is directed by Patricia D. Lopez, Ph.D., Assistant Professor at California State University, Fresno.
Plática Recording: Arte Contra el Racismo
Alice Street Film Screening
In partnership with Alice Street, Fresno Arts Council, Arte Americas, and Community Media Access Collaborative we help bring Alice Street Impact Tour to Fresno, CA.
Event Date: July 22, 2021
About the Film (text courtesy of Alice Street):
The documentary Alice Street by director Spencer Wilkinson features an artist community in Oakland, CA, and demonstrates how it became a model for engaging cultural artists in the fight against displacement while revealing the power of the arts in community development. The film has a run time of 67 minutes and is a rallying cry to protect the cultural arts. This screening is part of Alice Street’s summer impact tour in cities across California, with support from the California Arts Council and the SF Foundation. Please visit the Alice Street website fr more information.
About the Event and Panel:
For the last three months, we have been collaborating with Alice Street Film, Arte Américas, Fresno Arts Council, and CMAC for a community event to host a film screening of Alice Street. The 559 Mural Project is leading the panel discussion and our Executive Director, Selena Martinez Mak will be moderating. Invited guests include artists and community leaders dedicated to bringing conversation and dialogue about: housing inequity, community development, income disparities, and the power of public art.
We are so grateful to Arte Américas for providing their space, Plaza Paz, to welcome the community as the economy opens up. There will be music, vendors, food trucks, and an interactive mural. If you’re in the area, come join us for this community-oriented festive event.
Press: The Hanford Sentinel
Chicano Mural Movement (WATCH HERE)
Our first series of dialogue series is based on our first two murals, De Colores and #NoHumanIsIllegal. This series is made possible by a grant provided by Community Vision.
In partnership with Movimiento Latino TV, hosted by Ricardo Castorena Garcia and in collaboration with Professor Phillip M. Gonzales with our fellow partner artists, join us for a robust conversation about the Chicano Muralismo Movement and the issues being addressed during its inception drawing to today's issues of racial injustice, socio-economic inequity, and immigration policy- and how this impacts the Central Valley
When: Friday, March 12, 2021, at 6:30 PM PST
What: Chicano Mural Movement & The 559 Murals
Who: Lecture by Professor Phillip M. Gonzales (Fresno State)
Where: Movimiento Latino TV | FaceBook LIVE | YouTUBE
GUESTS (ARTISTS): Ariel Bird Howe, Mauro Carrera, Mike Howe, and EditR with special guest Fernando Hernandez
WATCH HERE
Photo Journey
The Team
Keeping it real
Keanna Louise Salazar, BA
World Traveler, Lover of all cultures, Justice Advocate, Communications Enthusiast, and On-Camera Personality
Keanna Louise Salazar was born and raised in Selma, California where she received most of her adolescent schooling. From a young age, circumstances moved her back and forth from Selma to Los Angeles for many years. With the foundation of great values and family coming from her small town, it was being exposed to big city living and constant change, where Keanna gained a liking and hunger for adventure. It is also where she was exposed to infinite cultural diversity and finally felt abundantly accepted as a mixed-race child. After 15 plus years in Los Angeles, Keanna’s journey moved her to St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands for 2 years and Manhattan, New York for 9 years with extended worldwide travel in between. She finally returned to her home county of Fresno, Ca in October of 2019 to be closer to family and learn more of her Mexican and Black-American heritage.
After living her adult years in environments where racism seemed less of an issue and multi-cultural awareness was encouraged, Keanna felt an apparent difference once becoming acclimated to her home again. The lack of diversity alone was enough to make her feel isolated, along with blatant racist behavior and reactions from locals in response to the protests that emerged from the George Floyd murder, which were shocking to her. Keanna felt compelled to become educated about racial injustice and socio-economic inequities and find a way to make a difference. Having always been passionate about fighting for justice in any capacity, and ready to finally give back to the community, Central Valley Allies for Change and The 559 Mural Project presented themselves at the perfect time.
Keanna received a Bachelors of Science in Communication with a focus on Public Relations from the CUNY BA and completed several internships in television and radio, but now focusing on public relations. With a natural passion for people and communication, Keanna uses strong interpersonal skills to bring awareness to the non-profit and build relationships with key individuals for fundraising and collaboration. During the day Keanna creates content and manages our social media pages across several platforms. She also contributes to creative brainstorming, planning, coordinating, and promoting our events. She couldn’t be more excited to represent The 559 Mural Project and its mission to make a difference in the Central Valley and beyond.
Selena Raquel Martinez (she/her), MBA/MPA
Mother, Patient Advocate, Social Entrepreneur, &
Racial Justice & Equity Activist
Growing up in Selma, a small rural town in California’s Central Valley, shaped Selena's early worldview of inequity and injustice. Selena knew it was related to the lack of opportunity for people of color and underrepresented groups. However, it was until later in life that she would come to appreciate the role systemic racism and historical (& current) racist policies are at the root of disenfranchised/marginalized communities and thus keeping people of color from access to wealth, excellent healthcare, and superb education. Thus, it became abundantly clear after graduate school that her professional calling is to help solve social, racial, economic, and environmental inequities through movement building, community partnerships, and economic revitalization. Selena is both energized and inspired by the mission at The 559 Mural Project.
Sirina Renee Resendez (she/her), BA
Mother, Mental Health Advocate, Board Member, &
Racial Justice & Equity Activist
Sirina Renee Resendez (Lombera) is a powerful and dangerous woman! Her life slogan is “Well-behaved women rarely make history.” She was born and raised in Selma, California until the age of 13 when she moved to Kingsburg, CA. In 2001, she graduated from Kingsburg High School. Sirina has three amazing children – her pride and joy who definitely keep her busy.
In the re-awakening of the #BlackLivesMatter movement, Sirina was compelled to action. She rolled up her sleeves in dramatic fashion to hold a space in her town of Kingsburg by organizing a Unity in the Park Rally to take a stand against the murdering of Black Americans and to be in solidarity with the movement. This event brought a group of valley friends and community members together which inspired the creation of the Central Valley Allies for Change, a grassroots organization, in which Sirina is a Co-Founder.
Sirina brings four years of experience as a behavioral health/mental health case manager and social worker, providing services in Fresno and Kings counties. She is currently an active board member and co-facilitator (Mending the Soul & Your Choice 4 Life classes) of 5 Stones Open Door, a local faith-based non-profit organization in Fresno, CA.
She earned a Bachelors degree in Social Work from the California State University of Fresno in 2016. During her college career, she interned for the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) – Fresno branch for one year. During her time with WILPF, she gained awareness of social injustices locally, nationally, and internationally and her passion has been ever ignited. She has a huge heart and compassion for others and is bringing her life experience and passion for racial and social justice to The 559 Mural Project.
Photo Credit: Landmark Photography
Partner Artists
We have an empowered social justice centered artistic team
Chicana, Muralist, & Tatoo Artist
In my work, I have used my love of art to process life experiences. Each piece is a study of real-life and is each a glimpse into the realm of my personal thoughts and feelings. Though they reflect some reality, these pieces also help the viewer fall deeper into the imagination of a young Latina woman in the Central Valley, myself. Most of my artworks are representations of how I feel about myself, others, and concepts of life. I hope to continue expressing my life through the paint to further tell my story.
Click here for Mikayla's full bio: http://bit.ly/MikaylaMGutierrez
Follow: @mikaylamgutierrez
Latinx, Muralist, Portrait Expert, Educator, & Activist
Brandi Nuse-Villegas is an artist based in the Central Valley of California. Brandi’s work explores the nature of the connections that make up the human experience and the deep desire to restore broken connections. The invitation to touch her artwork is a strong conceptual and experiential component of that exploration. Her art forms include murals, assemblage, installation, photography, printmaking, drawing, and painting. Currently, she is working on portraiture in social justice contexts.
Click here for Brandi's full bio:
http://bit.ly/BrandiNuseVillegas
Professional websites:
1) www.nusevillegas.art &
Follow: @nusevillegasart
Latinx, Visual Artist, Entrepreneur, & Educator
Nicole Jimenez is a self-taught artist from Selma, California who has participated and competed in many exhibits across the Central Valley. Some of the places her paintings have been shown include the Fresno Fair, Fresno City Hall, Fresno Art Hop, Yosemite International Airport, Reedley's Annual Art Hop, as well as past exhibits in Hanford, Kingsburg, and Modesto.
As a child, she drew artistic inspiration from watching cartoons and drawing pictures from comic books; after high school, she began to independently study the artists of the Italian Renaissance, and these subjects still continue to be a major influence on her work. Her most current subjects and inspiration for art have been her own family and Mexican-American heritage.
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Visual Artist, Entrepreneur, & Educator
My name is Michael Vasquez / Izelillustrations on social media. I am a 26 years old artist based out of Fresno, CA., with a B.F.A in graphic design illustration from Fresno State. My work revolves around culture and education. I am inspired by my culture and heritage of being Native American and Mexican and I want to share that with people who don’t know much about the history of these peoples and are not exposed to people of these cultures. I’ve always been interested in education and so I center my work around educating people. Although I have seen many people exploring ideas of culture and history, I haven’t seen many people creating art and also making it into physical tangible items that people can wear and express their culture wherever they may want. Along with this, I also have experience with mural making. I’ve currently made 4 murals that are located at 2 elementary schools here in Fresno. These murals reflect the ideas of diversity.
My work has been shown here in Fresno at the Fres.Co gallery, at M-Street Studios, and in my own art studio at Broadway Studios. Some select pieces of mine are on display at the Mexic-Arte Museum in Austin, TX. I am the recipient of two grants over the past year; the Fresno Cares Grant and the Fresno Artist Safety grant. In January of 2021, I was the Artist in Residency at the Mexic-Arte Museum.
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Visual Artist and Entrepreneur
Ariel Bird Howe is a talented artist/muralist in the heart of Fresno/Fresno County. She is proudly the co-owner of NoxoArt along with her husband and fellow artist/muralist Michael Evans Howe.
Ariel was born and raised in Fresno, CA, and attended the renowned Roosevelt High School School of the Arts where she had a love of the arts and people. Ariel attended UC Berkeley where she deepened her understanding of the latter and received a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Anthropology and a minor in Dance. Ariel incorporates her passion for people, cultures, and the community through her art & murals. Ariel has been visible in Fresnos monthly Art Hops for years. She has spent time working and exhibiting at Broadway Studios in Downtown Fresno. She has exhibited several times at Arte Americas, participating in a women’s art show there and painting a mural for the Dia de los Muertos exhibit. She is not only an artist but a teacher of her craft. She inspires her peers and the younger generation of artists.
When it comes to murals, Ariel comes highly recommended; the quality of her work is beyond measure, a natural collaborator, and a perfectionist for every detail. She consistently pushes herself to the max creating art that is both universal and thought-provoking but also speaks to the community that is being represented. She is no doubt a storyteller. We see that in her many murals throughout Fresno County, the U.S., as well as internationally as she has completed several murals in Latin America. She was recently commissioned by the Fresno Arts Council to paint a mural at the new housing development for the homeless community on Broadway Street - which was highly competitive.
Follow:
@arielbirdie
website: https://arielbird.com/
Aideed Medina
Poet, Artist, and Educator
Follow @fairiesinc
Editrrr
Visual Artist and Entrepreneur
Follow @editrrr_
Advisors
Navigating the Mural Arts in Fresno County
Vicki Filgas
Arts Educator & Advocate, Mural Producer,
& Organic Walnut Farmer
‘If you want change, you have to be a part of it. You can’t just sit back and expect somebody else to do it for you.’ That’s what I would say.” an interview with Vida en el Valle. That is what Vicki has dedicated her life to - to community and making a difference.
Vicki dreamed of being a diplomat studying at the University of Madrid and Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. But during graduate studies that all changed while taking dance classes in Guanajuato at La Escuela Superior de Danza Mexicana. What started as a hobby turned into a fulfilling and rewarding career in education, performing arts, and social activism.
Vicki received a Bachelors degree from Fresno State and a Masters degree from Fresno Pacific University and the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, receiving four teaching credentials including dance. After her studies, she returned to her roots, the Central Valley, and began teaching in many of the rural towns in Fresno County impacting many students' lives.
Many of us may know Vicki for her pioneering efforts in the performing arts at Selma High School where she taught for 35 years. There she developed the long-standing & renowned Los Paisanos, recognized as an authentic Mexican folkloric group nationally and internationally. In 2018 Vicki Filgas received an award from Arte Americas and the Danzantes Del Valle Coalition recognizing her pioneering work in Traditional Mexican Folkloric Dance in public schools. We see that inspiring legacy thriving at the Centro de Folklor in Selma.
See Vicki's contribution to Selma's Mural Walkway.
Photo Credit: DANIEL CÁSAREZ
Omequetzal Lopez
DJ, Artist, & Activist
Ome Lopez is the co-founder of Dulce UpFront a multimedia art collective in Fresno creating a community through conscious art and safe spaces for youth and their families. Ome was born and raised in Sanger, CA receiving a Bachelors in Social Work and a Master's degree in Public Administration.
People are at the heart of Ome's work as an artist, activist, and cultural healer through DJing. Ome was recently featured by The Luz Collective on Instagram, "[DJs]are like alchemists. They change the mood [and] the environment. They help people find their joy in their lives."
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Ome's DJ services were immediately canceled. She turned that negative into a positive and began doing DJ sets on FaceBook LIVE for the community, lifting spirits up as we all navigated this new reality. Word got out, (thanks Liz Gonzalez of KMPH 26 News) and soon Ome was getting booked to DJ virtual events for notable non-profits throughout California and most recently with the Leadership Council.
After the consecutive murders of black life under police authority, Ome's Dulce UpFront got to work and organized the #LiftEveryVoice Fresno Mural Tour to fight racial injustice and support the #BlackLivesMatter movement. In a matter of 8 weeks, the artists painted 14 beautiful murals - an amazing accomplishment.
Eddie O. Rodriguez
Artist, Consultant, Entrepreneur,
Educator, and Activist
Eddie O. Rodriguez was born in, San Jose, California, to two immigrant parents. Eddie got his first introduction to the arts at an early age from his mother. His mother was really good at drawing and by 8th he decided to pursue art as a full-time career and was super dedicated to this work getting support from the principal to create a specialized curriculum. During his high school education, he soon began to win awards and received several scholarships, the most significant receiving a full-ride scholarship to fund his undergraduate education.
Eddie attended The Academy of Arts University (AAU) in San Francisco, CA. He reached out to several directors in his concentration to develop a modified curriculum that focused on interests. He won several awards from his university and began to work in his field while still in school. He received his BFA from AAU with high honors, in 2008. He was immediately hired by his university upon graduation. He simultaneously began his gallery career with much success, specializing in photorealism. He went on to teach at several schools, in the US and the UAE. He trained the art faculty of The American University in Dubai, on drawing. He has shown in several galleries throughout California.
In, late 2019, Rodriguez, began an effort to help Central Valley artists, along with artists from other areas, to show their work at galleries, and to bridge the gap between the art market in the Central Valley and San Francisco. He was inducted into two art collectives. In the process of forging these new relationships and gaining experience as a muralist.
The hardships of 2020 have revealed the importance of art in our societies, along with the coping and healing qualities it possesses. Rodriguez has partnered with two other Merced artists to strengthen the arts in Merced and was recently appointed to the Merced City Arts and Culture Commission, all of which will have an increased impact in the arts in Merced.
Grant Sponsors
Fiscal Receiver
The Fresno Arts Council provides us general support such as resources, networking, promotion and is our fiscal receiver.
Executive Director, Lilia Chavez
1245 Van Ness Ave, Fresno, CA 93721
EIN: 94-2902674 , 501 (c)(3)
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