Gracias A La Vida
HIGHLAND PARK MAN MEMORIALIZED WITH A NEW MURAL BY WORLD-RENOWNED ARTIST
When José Pérez passed away from lung cancer in May of 2020, family and friends knew that his life’s philosophy of “Gracias a La Vida” (giving thanks to life) needed to be shared with the community that he had grown to love. That started a fundraising journey to commission a public mural which would commemorate not only Perez’s life, but how he symbolizes the universality of immigrants coming to New Jersey to build a better life while contributing to the community.
On August 12, installation for a new mural began at the Unity Bank, 104 Raritan Avenue in Highland Park. Entitled “Gracias a La Vida” the mural was created by lead artist Michelle Angela Ortiz with assistance by Salina Almanzar-Oree, to represent the many of facets of the Highland Park (im)migrant: contributions by workers, the connection to one’s homeland, and the bonds of family as told through the life of José Pérez, who was born in Durango, Mexico. According to Dr. Mary Curran, Director of Local-Global Partnerships for Rutgers Graduate School of Education and widow of José Pérez, “the mural was the result of three years of efforts by Jose’s family and friends and the generosity of the MacMillan Family Foundation and Unity Bank where José was a customer. I am especially thankful for the support of local community artist and friend, Claudio Mir, who worked along with me every step of the way to make this come to fruition. We are absolutely thrilled to bring a mural by an artist of Michelle Angela Ortiz’s caliber to Highland Park to share a message of belonging with the community Jose so loved.”
The mural also features the expression “Gracias a La Vida Por Ti” translated into multiple languages. Dr. Curran is working with the Highland Park Schools to develop a curriculum using the city’s murals as teaching tools to foster critical conversations around race, social justice, and inclusion. A public unveiling and celebration is being planned.
Michelle Angela Ortiz’s Statement:
The mural, created by lead artist Michelle Angela Ortiz with assistance by Salina Almánzar-Oree, represents the many facets of Highland Park. The mural depicts the hands of the woodworker that hover over the map of the community. The map transitions to the landscape of Highland Park with the image of the worker on a bicycle. The worker exemplifies the many (im)migrant workers that have found a home in Highland Park. The worker moves with a prism of colors resembling the colorful ribbons in the dresses of traditional dances of Mexico. The ribbons extend as rays of light to the center of the mural where a mother and daughter share an embrace and represent the core motivation of the worker, his family. The ribbons then reach the image of a young child in his native country, the child represented is José de la Luz Pérez Moreno and his sister, Concepción. This image represents the connection to land and ancestral roots.
José’s personal story connects with the stories of so many (im)migrant workers in Highland Park. The presence of the dahlia flower (grown in Mexico) frames the fence that holds the many love lockets by the river in the community. The lock is combined with the image of the milagro (miracle) which are charms used for requests, for protection, and as a source of good luck in Mexico. José was nicknamed “Cheluz” by his sister, which is inscribed on the locket as a dedication to him.
Facebook: Michelle Angela Ortiz (https://www.facebook.com/MichelleAngelaOrtiz/)
Instagram: @michelleangelaortiz
Twitter: @michellaortiz1
NOTE: This project was NOT sponsored by HPAC, however we wanted to highlight it here on our website.