Aquí y Allá

This public art project explores the impact of immigration in the lives of Mexican immigrant youth in South Philadelphia in connection with youth in Chihuahua, Mexico. The youth in both communities- here and there- are impacted by the effects of immigration through their family dynamic, sense of identity, shifting of cultures, socio-economic status and violence against their communities.

With the support of the United States Consulate in Juarez, Ortiz invited four artists (David Flores, Juan Carlos Reyes, Oscar Gallegos and Antonio Leal) to work in collaboration her in conducting a series of writing, street art and mural technique workshop with Mexican immigrant youth in South Philadelphia and Chihuahua, Mexico. The youth created transportable mural panels from Mexico who were permanently installed and combined with the images created by the Mexican immigrant youth in South Philadelphia. The goal of the "Aquí y Allá" project is to empower the youth through this exchange and creative process so they can find a common bond and have their voices resonate in the artwork they created together.