D.C.’s historic Unity Mural’s story is far from over. Stay tuned for the next chapter.
By hola | Published | No Comments
(photo courtesy of Gisell Ramírez)
As a cherished symbol of community and culture, the Unity Mural has held a special place for the Latine community in Washington, D.C. ever since a group of Latine and Black youth came together to paint it in the summer of 1982.
While the original mural will not see another year at its current location on the side of the Pepco substation in Adams Morgan, its powerful story as a symbol of solidarity has only grown more powerful in nearly a decade since Hola Cultura began working to save it from being demolished.
We were proud to nominate the Unity Mural for national recognition last year, which led to it be officially recognized as one of 13 nationwide Endangered Latinx Landmarks by Latinos in Heritage Conservation.
This spring, the mural and its story are continuing to inspire. At the D.C. History Conference on May 1, architectural historian Heather McMahon featured the Unity Mural in her discussion. Her remarks about how art, and particularly street muralism, can play an important role in community building and activism, set off a lively discussion with the audience.
This summer, Hola Cultura is also embarking on a new D.C. Latine murals oral history project. We will speak with several local muralists about their work, as well as document the historic Unity Mural’s inspiring story. This project, supported by the DC Oral History Collaborative, will ensure that the Unity Mural’s meaning and legacy are recorded and made publicly accessible as part of the historic record.
While documenting its legacy is important, Hola Cultura continues working to save the Unity Mural. Preservation efforts to find a new wall, where the mural can be recreated, are finally moving forward. We will continue to update readers as this beautiful story continues to unfold.
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