Villa Hispana Mural Vandalized But Artist Vows To Restore It

CLEVELAND, OH -- Three years ago, local artist John Rivera-Resto and his colleagues painted a beautiful mural on a wall of a building at the northwest corner of Clark Avenue and W. 25th Street. In a neighborhood known as Villa Hispana, it was a statement of pride in the community and brightened up a wall drenched in sunshine in the afternoon.

For three years, the mural remained untouched and admired by thousands of commuters heading to downtown and Tremont from the suburbs.

Then on Nov. 14, vandals "tagged" the mural with graffiti, and the community has come together to help restore the mural to its original state. Rivera-Resto said it will have to be completely re-painted to do it the right way.

Sherwin-Williams has already offered to donate the paint, and the Metro West Development Corporation Executive Director Keisha Gonzales has spearheaded a fundraising effort.

In a neighborhood that is fighting crime and foreclosure, the mural rebirth will have to be in the spring. Rivera-Resto titled his mural "It's Up To Us."

With a little help from friends and business partners, that theme can once again overcome the blight and hopelessness community leaders and Rivera-Resto have been fighting all the years.

Photo By Mark Holan