Presenting MALS' new Artists-in-Residence

MALS’ birthday wishes are coming true, in duplicate! We were really only looking for ONE Artist-in-Resident and Muralist when we put out our 10th Anniversary Open Call back in September, but then we met Ernesto & Cindy Hernández, a dynamic husband-and-wife muralist team who have exceeded our expectations in every regard. Ernesto and Cindy have been chosen from among a talented pool of Austin-area artists to design and install a beautiful mural along a large swath of wall in the Latino Studies’ office space.

Commissioning a 10th anniversary mural was the brainchild of MALS Chair Karma Chávez, who felt such a visible testament would be appropriate for a Latino Studies department that, she believes, is on the precipice of being the best program of its kind in the country. 

 

 

“I’ve always felt that it’s important for us to figure out ways to bring art into the center of what we do. I really wanted something to put an imprint on this important moment of us reaching 10 years amid a political climate that is very challenging," said Dr. Chávez.

Dr. Chávez considers it a bonus that the winning muralist applicant turned out to be a husband-and-wife team. "I love the fact that we'll get multiple perspectives based on gender. One of the things that is really cool about them is that they're going to really reflect about what is unique about our program, which is that it's embedded in thinking about the diversity within the community and not just having everyone fall in line and be the same thing."

 

 

Cindy and Ernesto have been creating murals together for three years, and they describe their collaborative process as dynamic and fluid. “We are an ever-evolving artist team. We learn from each other and find inspiration in each other's art. As soon as we have an idea we get to share it with each other, which keeps us in a continual creative space.”

The Hernández family came to Latino Studies recently to measure the wall space where the mural will make its home come January 2025, and we were able to meet their twins, Onyx and Xyon. Cindy and Ernesto make a point to involve their kids and anyone else who is interested in helping to paint and install their murals. 

“We feel that when the community gets to help paint, they feel a part of the process and have a sense of belonging. We especially enjoy watching how those that don’t consider themselves artists are so proud and joyful.”