UCSD Unveils Chicano Legacy Mural

A large mural, two years in the making, was unveiled on UC San Diego’s campus on May 25. The Chicano Legacy 40 Años mural is 17 by 54 feet and made of thousands of colored glass pieces. It covers the east wall of Peterson Hall on the La Jolla campus.

San Diego-based artist Mario Torero created the conceptual mosaic.

“For the first time in its history, UC San Diego has a permanent outdoor art installation that reflects the history of a minority community,” said UC San Diego professor of literature Jorge Mariscal in a statement. “The changing demographics of the 21st century soon will make Chicanos/Latinos a majority, and the number of Chicano/a and Latino/a students at UC San Diego is rising.”

Mariscal, a driving force behind the mural, added, “It is only fitting that the university celebrate these realities with a representational piece of art for the entire campus community, and indeed for all Californians.”