New Dining Space Mural Honors Native Heritage, Student Perseverance
Hidden for a year behind two large barn-style doors, a powerful new mural now adorns the walls of the Yablokoff-Wallace Dining Center. The latest piece of public art on the UC Merced campus explores Native past and future with themes of identity and representation.
Funded through a grant from the Division of Equity, Justice & Inclusive Excellence in collaboration with Dining Services and Executive Chef Jonathan Gutierrez Santiago, the project was led by Professor Richard Gomez, a lecturer in Global Arts, Media and Writing Studies. It was painted by student artists Briza Avila, Yanira Garcia Calderon, Oscar Torres and Coco Zaragoza, with Roxanna Hernandez serving as videographer.
The mural, “Resistencia", was unveiled May 5 to a crowd of students, staff and community members. The event featured cultural performances by the Ballet Folklorico and the Bobcat Mariachi Band, along with a special meal service to mark both the mural unveiling and Cinco De Mayo.
The mural is split into two sections on the wall of the Lakeview dining room.
On the left side, a large portrait of a woman (modeled after a student worker at the YWDC) stands surrounded by Native symbolism. Above her in gold is Coyolxauhqui, Aztec goddess of the moon. To her right, a hummingbird, or Copilli, represents a spiritual messenger and reminder of people’s Indigenous roots. To her left, a deer dancer appears beside a ceremonial cottonwood tree, and a small red handprint on her dress calls attention to the unreported sexual violence toward Indigenous women.
On the right side of the mural, a woman offers corn to a Dining Services worker. Beside them stands the Beginnings sculpture with a UC Merced graduate inside it, suggesting the transition from past to present to future. The portrait of the graduate is slightly larger than the statue, a nod to the strength of the UC Merced student body. Below them, a fruit bar reflects the locally sourced produce featured in the campus dining halls.
“The mural carries a lot of cultural weight,” said artist Avila. “It's very intimate, like an embrace. It shows others that I’m included, and I deserve to be here.”
The project was completed over two semesters. After planning throughout the fall, the artists spent the spring semester bringing the mural to life. What started as weekend painting sessions quickly turned into early mornings, late nights and a few overnight stretches.
Among the artists were graduating seniors who saw this as an opportunity to leave their mark on UC Merced.
“This mural is my voice, and I hope it inspires others,” Calderon said. “I want future generations to see it and know that we belong in these spaces.”
The unveiling took place on Cinco De Mayo. On May 5, 1862, Mexican forces, many of them Indigenous, defeated French troops at the Battle of Puebla. Celebrated annually, the victory at Puebla is a symbol of resistance.
For Gomez, the timing of the mural felt intentional.
“This recent project comes at a pivotal time in our history,” he said. “It adds voice, color and representation to our campus community.”
Gomez hopes to partner with others across campus to transform any blank wall into a space that sparks conversation and connection.
“I am always open to collaborating with more of our campus community who wish to add color and representation to our walls.”
