Multi-Cultural Mural
Santa Fe, New Mexico
United States
Description of the Site
Painted in 1980 by Gilberto Guzmán, the Multi-Cultural Mural in Santa Fe’s downtown area portrays the different cultures of the city and the state across time.It is a visual representation of the multicultural heritage of New Mexico. There are images of a corn goddess, a Spanish bull, railroad and steam engine laborers, the Rio Grande gorge, representations of the Mexican flag, and a vendor selling fry bread as people dance in a plaza. This mural was a way to tell the story of identities in New Mexico and how complex they are. The mural was painted on a wall of the Joseph Halpin State Records center, which held Spanish, Mexican, and Territorial archives for the state. It later also held land grant records kept by the Bureau of Land Management. This center is now closed and will be expanded to be the Vladem Contemporary art museum.
The Threat
New Mexico’s Department of Cultural Affairs has approved plans to destroy the mural as part of the expansion of the museum. The mural would be removed from the outer wall of the museum and no other murals would be painted in its place.
Efforts to Save Multi-Cultural Mural
Local citizens and artists have teamed together to campaign against the destruction of the mural. They are fighting to keep the mural and have it still be accessible to the community.
Who Should Be Held Accountable
The State of New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs and State officials
https://www.kob.com/new-mexico-news/state-plans-on-removing-iconic-santa-fe-mural/5652932/
https://southwestcontemporary.com/unpacking-the-archives-multi-cultural/
Photo Gallery
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