Celebrando Comunidad Photo Gallery

The Nueva Leon Restaurant in Chicago before AARP sponsors painting of the building's wall.

The Nueva Leon Restaurant in Chicago before AARP sponsors painting of the building's wall.

AARP's Nuevo Leon Mural Project in Chicago

AARP's Nuevo Leon Mural Project in Chicago

AARP's Nuevo Leon Mural Project in Chicago

AARP Chicago commissioned Building Mural Project at Nuevo León Restaurant and building, 3657 W. 26th Street at the corner of 26th Street and Lawndale Avenue in Chicago. The mural celebrates the art and culture of Pilsen's Mexican community. This mural is the concept, design and production of local artist Elizabeth Reyes.

AARP Chicago commissioned Building Mural Project at Nuevo León Restaurant and building, 3657 W. 26th Street at the corner of 26th Street and Lawndale Avenue in Chicago. The mural celebrates the art and culture of Pilsen's Mexican community. This mural is the concept, design and production of local artist Elizabeth Reyes.

AARP Chicago commissioned Building Mural Project at Nuevo León Restaurant and building, 3657 W. 26th Street at the corner of 26th Street and Lawndale Avenue in Chicago. The mural celebrates the art and culture of Pilsen's Mexican community. This mural is the concept, design and production of local artist Elizabeth Reyes.

AARP Chicago commissioned Building Mural Project at Nuevo León Restaurant and building, 3657 W. 26th Street at the corner of 26th Street and Lawndale Avenue in Chicago. The mural celebrates the art and culture of Pilsen's Mexican community. This mural is the concept, design and production of local artist Elizabeth Reyes.

"Celebrando Comunidad", commissioned by AARP Chicago, is the stunning building-sized mural that wraps around Nuevo Leon, a restaurant at 26th Street and Lawndale Avenue in Little Village. The painting by local artist Elizabeth "Liz" Reyes celebrates Dia de Muertos and the importance of caring for loved ones, including those who came before us. The mural features an elderly skeleton couple standing shoulder to shoulder with the iconic mountain range Cerro de la Silla in the background. The woman’s purple dress snakes down the building toward children playing in front of Little Village’s terra cotta arch alongside bare-boned mariachis. Scattered across the mural are marigolds, known in Mexico as “flower of the dead.” Observed on Nov. 2, Day of the Dead is rooted in pre-Columbian indigenous traditions. Departed ancestors are believed to make their way back to the terrestrial plane to counsel loved ones and enjoy their favorite foods, left for them upon altars known as ofrendas. Key personnel involved with creating this artwork included Elizabeth Reyes - Lead Artist, Abie Vasquez - Project Manager, Jesse Navarrete - Graphic Designer/Artist, Derek Ware - Paint Consultant/Technician/Contractor, Kristian Armendariz - Contractor's Assistant, Alvaro Obregon - AARP Coordinator.\n