— PROJECT NAME

You Light the Way Tribute Mural

— MURAL SITE

Ascención Solórsano Middle School, Gilroy, CA

— ROLE

Creative Director

Lead Artist

— DATE

April-Sept, 2024

A healer and pillar of our community, Maria Ascención Solórsano’s life and legacy embodies our mural’s call to action for our middle school scholars to light the way!

In collaboration with her direct descendants and representatives of the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band, ASMS school staff and students, and members of the broader community, we’ve been able to bring to life this mural in a rich and complex way that accomplishes exactly what we set out to do: 

Pay tribute to the school’s namesake and root the mural in the region’s rich history as a way to foster a sense of pride in school and self.

The mural poses a call to action to our scholars. To continue a multi-generational conversation with Ascención. To honor her healing work and legacy in their pursuit of wisdom and higher learning, sparking a fire and helping to light the way for generations to come.

Creative Team

Ruben Dario Villa, Lead Artist

Joey "Choko" Castaneda, Co-Lead Artist

Sarah Cassandra Retana, Supporting Artist

Itzayana Silva, Supporting Artist

Jade Castaneda, Supporting Artist

Julian Torres, Supporting Artist

Charlene Eigen-Vasquez, Ohlone Poet

Advisory Committee

Hilda Aguirre, Principal

Anthony Fuccella, Vice Principal

Marion Martinez, Amah Mutsun Tribal Band

Veronica Martinez, Amah Mutsun Tribal Band

Trina Higuera-Coates, Amah Mutsun Tribal Band

Mike Higuera, Amah Mutsun Tribal Band

Rick Flores, Professor UCSC

Charlene Eigen-Vasquez, Confederation of Ohlone People

Special Thank You to the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band for their encouragement and support of the mural project.