Murals do far more than brighten a space—they make art accessible to everyone. Created in public places, they invite the entire community to experience and engage with them. Murals can educate, inform, and even challenge social, cultural, and political boundaries. Just as importantly, they often encourage community participation, welcoming people of all backgrounds, regardless of skill or experience.
Murals help shape and express a community’s cultural identity while fostering a sense of ownership and pride. Over time, they can become local landmarks, drawing in artists and visitors alike.
Although only a few have survived, murals in Central America date back to the ancient Maya. In recent decades, they have grown increasingly popular for their striking visual impact and the powerful messages they convey—whether celebrating cultural heritage or advocating for human rights, environmental protection, and other pressing social issues.
Relatively low-cost and simple to create, murals can have a lasting and far-reaching impact. They may not solve material hardships, but they nurture something equally vital: a sense of connection, identity, and collective pride. That’s why we will continue creating murals—in Guatemala and beyond.
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| Artist Carin Steen in front of one of her murals depicting two residents of nursing home Fray Rodrigo de la Cruz against a backdrop of the San Andrés Xetul church, Antigua Guatemala (2017) |
