Friendship at core of monument groundbreaking
CALEXICO — Officials have finally broken ground on a binational mural monument dedicated to the unity between Imperial Valley communities and their Mexicali neighbors, who worked together to create the “Border Metamorphosis” mural that once stretched 2.2 miles along the border fence.
“It does mean something to know we live in a very unique region, a region of a lot of opportunity and a region of progress … but most of all a region that means friendship with all our neighbors,” said Calexico Mayor Maritza Hurtado during a ceremony held at the north side of Rockwood Plaza park here Monday morning.
The mural project was originally initiated in 1997 with the help of more than 1,500 volunteers from both sides of the border. It ran along the fence from the New River to the All-American Canal, explained Carmen Durazo of the Calexico Arts Commission.
“[It’s] the only one of its kind, recognized internationally and statewide through the California Art Council and many others, but the most important piece is that everyone came together as a community throughout Imperial and Mexicali valleys to paint it,” Durazo said.
The mural, which took five to seven years to complete due to funding, was designed by lead artist and Calexico native, Armando Rascon. The monument will display an actual piece of the mural’s motif, which occupies two fence panels and consists of a circle that has a triangle radiating from its horizontal axis.
Artist and Mexicali native, Eduardo Quintero, has since been appointed by the Calexico’s Arts, Library, Historical Commission Board to restore and finish the donated fence panels for the park’s monument.
“It is an honor today to be invited for the restoration of the mural, and I want to thank Armando Rascon, wherever he is, for this opportunity,” Quintero said during the ceremony.
Happy to see the project breaking ground at last, county Supervisor John Renison shared his thoughts on the historic occasion.
“It was going slow for a while, hit a few bumps, but we are finally here,” Renison said. “This is an example of how Calexico can work together.”
Also among the ceremony attendees was chairman for the city’s Economic Development/Financial Advisory Commission, Ben Horton, who expressed his thoughts on displaying a piece of Calexico’s history and unity.
“This is something that is important for the city as a whole,” said Horton. “We are going to bring the past to the present for a better future for all by learning what the future will be from learning what the past is.”
Calexico Council Member Bill Hodge was also pleased to see the project moving forward, having been a part of the meetings that led to the day’s groundbreaking ceremony.
“This is an area of beautification, which we need more of in Calexico,” Hodge said. “This is going to be a real asset for beautification in Calexico. … It’s truly historic.”
Officials hope the monument will continue to signify Calexico’s ability to unite despite today’s era of political or governmental division, noted Hurtado. She also invited the community to join in the unveiling of the finished monument, which is scheduled to be completed in about three weeks.
“This is something positive and a reality of Calexico,” Hurtado said. “It really is a coming-together moment, so we really want to take this opportunity for all of you to be here.”