Pueblo Chicano mural on list of most endangered American heritage sites

PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) -- For four decades Chicano murals have been decorating Plaza Verde in Pueblo. The painting at Plaza Verde Park in Pueblo is one of many murals by Chicano artists around Colorado that have been recognized for the first time as endangered American heritage sites. The mural, by Leo Lucero, depicts the spirit of Indigenous people and the land before colonialism.

Preserving artwork for a community to finally feels seen and heard.

Earlier this week the national trust for historic preservation named chicano/a community murals of Colorado to their list of the 11 most endangered historic places across the country this year.

This mural at Plaza Verde park in Pueblo is by Chicano artist Leo Lucero and it symbolizes the spirit of the indigenous people and the land before colonialism.

It's one of many murals by Chicano artists being recognized for the first time ever as an endangered American heritage site.

Murals in Colorado are not only threatened by the weather but also by gentrification.

Nancy Rios with the Chicano/a community murals of Colorado believes this is the start to preserving the art in communities across Colorado.

"Cities go through transitions all the time and sometimes in that transition histories are erased and overlooked and what gives the city spirit, those people are often erased and overlooked and murals tell that story," said Rios.

In Pueblo's Plaza Verde Park lies this mural. It's been around for over 40 years and represents the spirit of the indigenous people.

John Espinosa, an artist himself who helped work on this particular project says it's been threatened since the 70s.

"It's been protected by the community because we know it is endangered," said Espinosa.

Espinosa said he is dedicated to protecting murals that represent the community.

"Paint crews came from the city and said that they were there to paint over it and for roughly three weeks people spent the night guarding the mural project so that somebody wouldn't come and paint over it," said Espinosa.

They overcame that obstacle, but 44 years later -- a recognition of the country's '11 most endangered historic places' means more efforts to protect the history and culture it represents.

"Most of those murals have been painted over or they got in bad repair that you don't even know what they were so there is an important need to protect those murals, they are very important to the community," added Espinosa.

Though not on the list another endangered mural is this 1986 painting in the fine arts center parking lot by Chicano artist Emmanuel Martinez.

"Sadly this mural has been neglected since 1986 and hasn't been cared for and we would like to see this mural receive the same type of care and attention any other art would receive inside the museum," said Rios.

In a statement, the Colorado Springs fine arts center said they will be committing to the quote the 'long overdue restoration and conservation of the mural.' 

“The mural Arte Mestiza by Emanuel Martinez welcomes us each day as we enter the Fine Arts Center parking lot. Originally painted in 1986, we recognize the cultural and historical importance of this piece and have committed to long-overdue restoration and conservation of the mural. Martinez is one of the Chicano movement artists that helped create a mural movement in Colorado. It’s a privilege to have the piece in the Fine Arts Center permanent collection and need to honor that by giving it the care and attention it deserves.” 

The Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center also said the meaning and history of Arte Mestiza will be explored as part of the upcoming FAC exhibition Where the Saint Lives on June 3-September 18, 2022

 Artists and historians are now hoping this will strengthen efforts to preserve the artwork.