New Projects: Satellite Housing in Berkeley: Mural Panels Awaiting Installation
JUANA ALICIA IS CURRENTLY SEEKING FUNDING
FOR THE INSTALLATION OF THESE WORKS
In 2004, Satellite Housing in Berkeley approached Juana Alicia about creating a new work of art for its anticipated new building 
in the center of Berkeley, California. After interviewing many elders and activists in the community, she designed a series of ceramic columns for the facade of the building, which was completed in 2007. Among those interviewed were artist Andreé Thompson, educator Dr. Salvador Murillo, U.C. Berkeley ecologist and scholar Dr. Antonio Chapela, the Grey Panthers, educator and activist Sol Levinson and Representative Loni Hancock. Entitled Huehuetlatolli: The Wisdom of Elders, the bas relief cycle of murals was completed in 2008. The work consists of ten bas relief columns in ceramic tile mural for Satellite’s new headquarters and low-income senior housing development at the corners of University and Sacramento Streets.
El Alma/The Soul
Elder Wisdom/Huehuetlatolli
Water Panel
Conceptually, the pieces represent the five sacred elements: earth, air, fire, water and the soul. The earth panels include images of elders speaking their wisdom to young people, as pictured here. The piece’s central concepts are the contributions to and connections between elders and younger people, and the valued place that our elders inhabit in our community. In 2005, Berkeley poet and elder, Rafael Jesus Gonzalez, who was recently honored by the Berkeley City Council for his contribution to the city’s arts and letters, composed a series of haiku-like verses which further inspired the murals.
Aire
Fire/Fuego
Their messages to us speak of love for the planet and all living things, caretaking of natural resources and a devotional respect for life. The notion, spirit and story the murals convey is that of a secure, respected home and place in the community for elders, and a welcoming, intergenerational and life-affirming presence in the artwork. It will also celebrate the wisdom of generations through literature.
Tile Waiting for a Home
Currently, the murals are boxed and stored in a Satellite facility, awaiting installation. In 2007, Satellite Housing received a grant from the Open Circle Foundation for the installation of the work, but the funds were not sufficient to complete the task. Juana Alicia is currently seeking support for the installation the murals. Please contact her through this site regarding contributions to this project. She is seeking to raise approximately $5,000 in order to bring these sculptural murals to the corner of University Avenue and Sacramento Street.
These small tiles shown below are her preparatory sketches for the murals, and the larger works in plastilline and fiberglass are the models for the ceramic panels.
During the period of her Fulbright Fellowship, Juana Alicia worked in collaboration with Tirso F. Gonzalez to create the larger pieces at their studio in Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico.
