Ni De Aqui, Ni De Alla (UMOS Mural Project)

Ni de Aqui ni de Alla/From Neither Here nor There (Phase 2), is a mural and research project that consists of telling the stories gathered from interviews with local Chicanx civil rights activists. This mural is in collaboration with Artworks for Milwaukee, United Migrant Opportunities Services (UMOS),and the Butters-Fetting Building on 1st and Mitchell wherethe mural will be installed.The project was carried out by a team of Undergraduate Research Assistants, professional staff members, and high school interns. The teamcollected oral histories from founding members of UMOSas well as other vital members of the Latinx community. Interns participated in roundtable discussions to decide how to transform the information from the oral histories into visual elements to use on the mural. Once this preparatory work was completed, interns collaborated to create a compelling composition. From this project, interns have been able to learn an untold history, gaintechnical art,leadership, team-building, and collaboration skills. As a result, one of the youth involved in the project has gotten the opportunity to create a mural at her school and another intern who graduated from high school has ascended to an Undergraduate Research Assistant role at UWM.Although we cannot yet tell the impacts that this mural will have on the community, its inclusion in English and Spanish local news, book publications, and interest from filmmakers tells us that it will have great significance for the Latinx community when it is installed on May 20th. Through this program, we have gained the skills necessary to carry out an engaging community art project that not only depicts the story of the community but also empowers community members to have a voice. In addition, we havecreated a permanent piece of art that the community can be proud of and will be able to visit for years to come