Distinguished UCLA Chicana/o Studies/World Arts and Cultures Professor and
Artistic Director of SPARC, Judith Baca, issued her challenge to LAUSD students
from over 17 high schools at the second annual Aspen Challenge this last Saturday,
February 8th, 2014. Each school contributed eight students, one teacher, and one
principal. The 17 teams are expected toto choose and address one of the six
challenges issued by leading scholars, artists, environmentalists, and humanitarians.
The challenge was held at the Cesear Chavez Learning Center located in Pacomia,
a neighborhood familiar to Judy from her childhood. In light of recent trends
where more and more murals are in danger of being tagged, vandalized, or completely
destroyed due to various factors including the desire for young graffiti artists to write
over public art in the name of “coverage” and the desire to “brand” walls with their
personal logos, Judy issued the following challenge:

“I challenge you to create a mural which beautifies and addresses an unheard voice, story, or issue in your community.
I then challenge you to launch a campaign which engage your peers in the preservation and understanding the art work.”

For more information, videos of the challenges, and the proposals led by LAUSD students, visit: Sparcinla.org * Digitalmurallab.com * Aspeninstitute.org