Latino Studies Community Mural

Walking into the Latino Studies office space gives you a feel for what we represent to the UT Austin community. Our colorful and inclusive community mural is based on the theme “Knowledge is Power,” and was created during the 2024-25 academic year to commemorate a decade of emboldened scholarship in the Department of Mexican American & Latina/o Studies. The symbolism of the hummingbird (authenticity, braveness, intrepidness, skill, readiness and strength of will) and butterflies (transformation and renewal), along with other scholarly visual references such as books and research cells, are intentional and significant. Artists-in-Residence Cindy and Ernesto Hernández created this beautiful artwork with input from all three Latino Studies units, and it was installed it with the help of UT student volunteers. 

“It’s so beautiful, everything about the mural I love. We keep the doors open now in the office suite so that no matter where you are, you can just turn around and see Latino Studies in such bright colors. And it was so cool seeing students in the hallways, with their paintbrushes, working alongside the artists. I just thought, ‘What a great thing for them to have their mark on this place.’”  MALS Chair, Karma Chávez

The Latino Studies community mural has received attention campus wide. COLA’s Life & Letters on-line magazine published this feature piece on the mural's creation and significance. Everyone is welcome to view the Latino Studies Community Mural on the second floor of the Gordon-White Building, Suite 2.102, during regular school hours.