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Artist Javi Ortiz to install La Jarda panels along Lawrence Loop; ribbon-cutting set for Sept. 20
Summary
The Lawrence Arts Center and city staff presented a commissioned public-art installation by local artist Javi Ortiz that will install six painted aluminum panels commemorating the La Jarda neighborhood along the Lawrence Loop; organizers scheduled a Sept. 20 unveiling with a Mariachi-led walk and music.
The Lawrence Cultural Arts Commission on Aug. 13 heard details of a public-art commission by Javi Ortiz that will install six painted aluminum panels along the Lawrence Loop to commemorate the La Jarda neighborhood and its Mexican American railroad-worker community. The Lawrence Arts Center received a grant from Blue Cross Blue Shield in partnership with Live Well Douglas County to fund the project, staff said.
Marlo and Porter described the project as both a historical commemoration and a health-activation effort: panels will be located near Eighth and Delaware along the Loop, and organizers plan a Sept. 20 ribbon-unveiling event at 5:30 p.m. that begins with a Mariachi-led walk and ends with music and food at Van Gogh across from the train station.
Artist Javi Ortiz told the commission the work will use aluminum composite material (ACM) panels framed in aluminum, primed, painted and varnished. Ortiz said the panels will be mounted directly to the Loop fencing and that each panel will be roughly 72½ inches tall by 35½ inches wide. Ortiz said the imagery draws on oral histories — gardens, family life, railroad work and community dinners — gathered from neighborhood residents and descendants.
Marlo described the project’s community engagement as central to the commission’s selection of Ortiz. She told the commission that Pedro Romero, one of the elders who shared recollections, said when he met Ortiz “it felt like this was his grandson,” a comment Marlo relayed to the commission to illustrate the artist’s local rapport. Organizers are preparing two signage panels: an interpretive historical panel with photographs and context and an artwork-information panel listing partners and the artist statement.
The commission was told the project did not require formal additional approval at the Aug. 13 meeting because the art is being installed on Parks property with city signoff and grants already secured. Staff invited commissioners and the public to attend the Sept. 20 event; Marlo said the day’s program will include six songs composed by Maria Cuevas that correspond to the panels and Mexican food at Van Gogh after the walk.
Staff and the Lawrence Arts Center also discussed production details and minor merchandising: Ortiz said prints or reproductions could be a possible future option but would require copyright and contract work. The project’s immediate next steps are final fabrication, installation planning with city parks staff, sign fabrication and the Sept. 20 public event.
