Murals spanning the walls of libraries, churches and schools are commonplace in East LA.
Artwork honoring Chicano icons like Cesar Chavez and revolutionary leader Emiliano Zapata — as well as artists like José Clemente Orozco and Frida Kahlo —lines a milelong stretch of the Cesar E. Chavez Avenue corridor. The work of longtime Eastside muralists like J.D. Zender Estrada and Paul Botello adds color to the walls of meat markets, art studios and health clinics along the thoroughfare.
During a recent mural walk organized by East LA’s Tonalli studio, neighbors, artists and art lovers followed a map to guide them around the area and learn the history and context of the artworks.
Ethnic studies educators Veronica Lopez and Gaby Reyes drove from Orange County on a Saturday morning to pay homage to the art that showcases Latino culture across Southern California.
“This is a visual of what our history is all about. Where we come from, who we are and how history repeats itself,” Reyes said. “I think people can still identify with the same issues that are being portrayed in these murals.”
Travelling east along Cesar E. Chavez Avenue from Esteban E. Torres High School, visitors can see the murals in the following order:
“We Believe In You,” Paul Botello, 2022, Esteban E. Torres High School
Paul Botello’s 2022 mural “We Believe In You” at Esteban E. Torres High School celebrates education, community empowerment and the long struggle for access, equity and justice in schools. (Andrew Lopez / For Boyle Heights Beat)
“Journey to Knowledge,” Jose Antonio Aguirre, 2013, Hilda L. Solis Learning Academy
Jose Antonio Aguirre’s ceramic mural “Journey to Knowledge” was intended to inspire students at the Hilda L. Solis Learning Academy when it was installed in 2013. (Andrew Lopez / For Boyle Heights Beat)
“The Land of WE Mural Series,” Erin Yoshi, 2017, Tonalli Studio
The face of the Eastside altarista Ofelia Esparza is the focal point of Erin Yoshi’s 2017 mural outside Tonalli Studio. The mural is a part of the “Land of WE,” a group public art project. (Andrew Lopez / For Boyle Heights Beat)
“The Journey of Hope In Youth,” Benjamin Botello, 2011, Soledad Clinic
“The Journey of Hope In Youth” stretches alongside the entire side of Soledad Clinic on Cesar E. Chavez Avenue. The 2011 Benjamin Botello mural features the portraits of Eastside and civil rights leaders. (Andrew Lopez / For Boyle Heights Beat)
“Kobe Bryant,” Radine Lopez, 2020, East LA Rising
Radine Lopez painted “Kobe Bryant” at East LA Rising in 2020 to share a motivational message. (Andrew Lopez / For Boyle Heights Beat)
“The Short Life of John Doe,” Robert Arenvar, Jose-Luis Gonzalez, Juan Gonzalez and David Botello, 1975, Centro Maravilla Service Center
The Centro Maravilla Service Center is home to the collaborative mural La Vida Breve de Alfonso Fulano (The Short Life of John Doe) by Goez Art Studio artists Robert Arenivar, Jose-Luis Gonzalez, Juan Gonzalez and David Botello. It was completed in 1975 and restored in 2013. (Andrew Lopez / For Boyle Heights Beat)
“Raza Adelante,” J. D. Zender Estrada, 1996, Maravilla Meat Market
“Raza Adelante,” painted in 1996, is J.D. Zender Estrada’s homage to Mexican-born revolutionaries. It is on the north-facing wall of the Maravilla Meat Market. (Andrew Lopez / For Boyle Heights Beat)
“Homage to Mexican Masters,” J. D. Zender Estrada, Nuke, Chose, Siner, Zuco, Shandu, Duce, Scud, Cahli, 2004, Maravilla Meat Market
J.D. Zender Estrada’s 2004 mural “Homage to Mexican Masters” depicts various Mexican artists from the early to mid-20th century. It is located on the west-facing wall of the Maravilla Meat Market. (Andrew Lopez / For Boyle Heights Beat)
“Our Lady of Guadalupe,” David Lopez, 1973, Old Casa Maravilla Wall
Painted in 1973, David Lopez’s “Our Lady of Guadalupe” features La Virgen de Guadalupe in radiating light. The mural was originally created for the Casa Maravilla housing project. (Andrew Lopez / For Boyle Heights Beat)
Andrew Lopez is a Los Angeles native with roots across the Eastside. He studied at San Francisco State University and later earned a master’s degree in journalism from the University of California, Berkeley. He returned to Los Angeles from the Bay Area to report for Boyle Heights Beat from 2023 to 2025 through UC Berkeley’s California Local News Fellowship. When he is not reporting, Lopez mentors youth journalists through The LA Local’s youth journalism program. He enjoys practicing photojournalism and covering the intersections of culture, history and local government in Eastside communities.
