Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

The 3,300 sq. ft. mural Viva La Vida or Live Life, was unveiled at a ribbon cutting on July 16. Located at the Bobby Andrews Recreation Center on East 7th Street, the mural is a magnificent display of words, color, and imagery, which are representative of the Latinx community in Washington. The project was made possible through a grant from the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation’s Inclusive Public Art Initiative. “I’m honored to be here for the unveiling and celebration of the mural,” said Joy Vermillion Heinsohn, executive director of the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation. “Our vision at the foundation is for a just, inclusive, and sustainable North Carolina. This mural is a fabulous presentation of the common humanity that we all share and a celebration of the Latinx culture in our state.”

Garner artist Georges Le Chevallier, who is of French and Puerto Rican descent, was commissioned by the City of Washington to create and paint the mural. But as Le Chevalier pointed out, this day was not about him. “I do not like actors,” said Chevallier. “To make a film, or a TV series, or a Broadway show, it takes a lot of people, yet we only talk about the actors. I don’t like that and I don’t want to be an actor today, I’m not the man of the hour. This project took two years to happen and it took a lot of people behind the scenes to make it happen. I want to make sure you understand that this was a group project and one that shows how art can affect a community.”

It was also a proud day for Abigail Cabrera, Latinx Community Outreach Coordinator for the City of Washington. This project has been two years in the making and she has been there every step of the way. “To finally see the mural come to life, and people coming together to enjoy and celebrate it is a bittersweet moment,” said Cabrera. “It is a project that highlights a beautiful culture and will bring about some conversations for those who aren’t a part of the Latinx community who want to learn more, and for those who are a part of the Latinx community who will seize the opportunity to embrace it even more. It is such a beautiful reminder of our culture.”

Washington is one of only nineteen sites across the state that will have inclusive public art. “A day like this makes me proud to be the mayor and represent a city that welcomes all cultures into our community,” said Washington Mayor Donald Sadler. “It makes for a better community, a better city, and a better county.”