Pilsen Murals: Cooper Academy

OROZCO ACADEMY/COOPER ACADEMY (1991)

Photo courtesy of http://cuip.uchicago.edu

 --Located on 1645 West 18th Place, This elementary school is named after a Latino realist painter, Jose Clemente Orozco.
--Since 1991, art teacher Francisco Mendoza has worked with students to cover the building facade with glass tile work.  The mosaic portraits include political leaders like Cesar Chavez, artists Frida Kahlo, and muralists like Diego Rivera, David Siquieros and Jose Orozco.
--Some panels also depict religious sentiment--by displaying Aztec Sun and Moon gods, and devotion to international events like the Olympic Games.
-Monica M.