La Casa de Esperanza Charter School
Waukesha, Wisconsin | 25 x 15 feet | Project Completed in 2019
Awarded 2021 Best Community Mosaic by Mosaic Arts International
The 25 x 15 foot Mosaic mural entrance at La Casa de Esperanza was built in partnership with Uihlein Architects, Stier Construction, Orlandini Tile, and the staff of the charter school. The original design concept from Uihlein Architects was scaled to the height of the first-floor level. In one of the first design meetings, we discussed the scale. It was decided that the mural needed to meet all three floors. We worked together to find support for the larger project and were able to secure funding from Mary Nohl Fund. With the additional funding, we were able to build into the project a community component that would engage the students for 6 months in workshops to create a part of the mural.
The workshops were held once a week and the students ranged in ages from 8 to 15 years. In the workshops, the students made design suggestions and were able to create medallions in the border frame of the finished mural. The monarch butterfly, a symbol of migration and the sunflower, a symbol of enlightenment and spiritual growth were shared images selected by the students. Two of the students are in the mural as children and one student’s hands were used in the image of the spring water running through her hands. Each child also was able to create another mosaic that would go home with them.
The story of La Casa de Esperanza, or “House of Hope” is the story of the migration of the Mexican and Latin emigrants who left their homeland to settle in Waukesha, WI. The narrative begins at top with early employment in the factories and farms of the area. The mural center is the story of higher education and of opportunity for generations of children and families. In this part of the mural, the children explore art, books and their culture with one student in a graduation cap. One small house is shown on the far border edge. This small home is the first house of hope, the original La Casa de Esperanza built and founded by the Mendes family. They are honored in the mural with the 3 doves at the top of the mosaic, and with a street sign in their name. The entire mural is framed in white with vines that connect the medallions symbolizing family, their city and heritage.
