Barrio Viejo

How Did This Project Get Started?

Dec 26, 2001

An interview with Michele Ream by Arthur V. Lofton.

One September evening, I sat down with Michele Ream to talk with her about the mural project. Here is some of our conversation. ~Tudy



AL: What made you want to paint a mural?

MR: There were a couple of reasons. First because the mural that was painted on El Rio Clinic, when my boyfriend?’s nephew was killed in a drive by, had been painted over. Secondly, because so many youth that I have known for years have lost young friends and/or family members and I wanted to do something positive for them. To show them that someone cares about them and their loss. Also, I wanted to see something positive happening in our community. And last but not least, I live right next to the wall and it is so ugly!!

AL: Why was Julio Bernal chosen as the artist for this panel?

MR: Julio was the artist that painted the mural with some of the same kids on El Rio Health Center. I though it was a great idea to have a lot of the same group work on another mural.

AL: How was the design conceived?
MR: Julio came up with a designand it looked great. The only change that was made was to paint the trees as Membrillo trees, since they used to grow in this area and that?’s how the area got its name. I also thought it would be cool to paint one tree with fruit (the quince) and one with the tree in bloom.

AL: What?’s next?

MR: I am currently looking for other funding sources to do future panels and as always, I?’m seeking more community input as to what images people would like to see on the wall and what artists they would like to see get involved in the project.