On Sept. 14, Cabrillo College celebrated a historic event, unveiling its first Latinx-inspired mural on the Aptos campus, called “Unity.”
Mural artist and Cabrillo graduate Francisco Alonso talks about his piece, “Unity,” at the dedication ceremony. • Photo Credit: Kristin Fabos
The mural is a stunning work, a powerful vertical image that adorns the elevator tower overlooking Cabrillo’s campus Quad.
Painted by local artist and Cabrillo graduate Francisco Alonso, the mural — entitled “Unity” — is part of the College’s ongoing efforts to promote its diversity and celebrate its Hispanic-serving institution status.
This past May, for the first time in Cabrillo’s history, 50% of Cabrillo’s graduating class was Latinx.
During the unveiling event, Cabrillo President and Superintendent Dr. Matt Wetstein announced that Cabrillo had just received a $5 million federal diversity in STEM grant relating to Cabrillo’s federal status as a Hispanic-serving institution. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.
Cabrillo College aims to foster a greater sense of belonging among its diverse student body, celebrating Latinx culture and centering on Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) and their racial, cultural, and linguistic ways of living and knowing.
The mural dedication ceremony featured food, music, Native American and Folklorico dancers, culminating with a presentation by muralist Alonso.
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Attendees included faculty, staff, students and members of the Santa Cruz County community. Visit cabrillo.edu for more information about the mural.
Native American dance troupe White Hawk performs at the Cabrillo College ceremony to dedicate the college’s first Latinx-inspired mural. • Photo Credit: Kristin Fabos