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Issue date: 5/9/06 Section: News

Media Credit: Shayla Durrett Mesa professor Mario Lara helped design the artwork at a local trolley station.

Mesa Art Professor Mario Lara worked with a team to make the 25th and Commercial streets trolley station a landmark that celebrates the cultural diversity of the surrounding neighborhoods.

The artwork at the trolley station was named "Achievement/Progress/Community: In the Spirit of César E. Chávez." César Chávez inspired a lot of the work.

The artwork includes a stainless steel "Eagle" landmark that represents the spirit and community leadership of Chávez. The eagle is placed on the top of a metal stand that protrudes into the sky. The team got the idea from the United Farm Workers "Huelga" eagle icon.

There are directional signs around the middle of the landmark that point in the direction of Petco Park, Chicano Park and a skate park.

Next to the eagle are stainless steel panels that have a quote from Chávez in Spanish and English saying, "We cannot seek achievement for ourselves and forget about progress and prosperity for our community."

Along the sidewalk of the trolley stop are concrete benches that have tile mosaics on the side that detail the life of Chávez. Some have tiles of San Diego and the trolley.

"They represent aspects in the life of César E. Chávez and the struggles of the United Farm Workers movement," said Lara.

Lara worked with a project team from Sherman Heights in a series of workshops to create a way to introduce public art into San Diego communities.

"Our hopes for the project are to create a focal point in the area that celebrates the ethnic diversity of the surrounding neighborhoods while celebrating the memory and achievements of César E. Chávez.

"We also want to indicate with the trolley station landmark that there is a thriving community in this area and invite people to explore the community and its cultural landmarks," said Lara.

In the beginning of 2004 a public art competition was held to compete for funding for the "Neighborhood Design Arts Program." Lara's Sherman Heights team was named the winner.

The team selected the 25th Street and Commercial streets Trolley Station as the project site.

"The trolley station is an important transportation point in the area," said Lara. "Providing service to many residents in the San Diego area. It is also one of the last stops before the newly built downtown ballpark."

The team researched the histories and cultures of the surrounding neighborhoods to get ideas for the project.

"This is a necessary part of the process of creating successful public art that the communities will embrace," said Lara. "It is a lot of work and many hours of presenting to the community but can be very gratifying when all involved see aspects of themselves reflected in the finished artwork."

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