Axzay Villarreal's colorful tribute to Wasco

Axzay Villarreal is a celebrated artist from Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico, who created the hand-crafted mosaic "Deep Roots/ Raices Profundas," featured in the Downtown Beautification Project. Her murals are vibrant canvases that convey rich historical narratives, and this piece reflects her interpretation of Wasco's heritage.

The foreground of the intricate 9 foot by 7 foot mosaic, crafted from mosaic tile and glass, shows Tlaloc, the Aztec god of rain, and La Catrina, the central symbol of the Mexican holiday, Day of the Dead, which represents the cycle of life and death. Villarreal shares details behind her unique artwork, "The background of this piece showcases a flaming heart glowing over a colorful field of Wasco roses, representing the power we have within ourselves to face life and remain united in passionate love for humanity and the people of Wasco – we are all one, I am another you, you are another me."

Her vision for her mosaic mural is to create a visually and intellectually engaging art piece. She wants the artwork to be more than just visually pleasing; she wants it to evoke thought and imagination, representing a blend of past and present cultures. The mural embodies gratitude and the migration journey, celebrating the fusion of Mexican and American influences. By incorporating symbols of the Day of the Dead and portraying the history and community of Wasco, she hopes to contribute positively to the town and highlight the beauty of cultural integration.

Villarreal said she discovered art in kindergarten. "When I was a child, in the first grade, I won a contest for creating a clay diorama of my classroom, complete with students, teachers, windows, doors, and even a tiny garbage can with miniature pieces of paper. I made it out of a shoe box and won first place. From then on, I was always sculpting with clay, and I continued to study it later on."

When she left high school, she studied public relations in college and then took an experimental plastics workshop with some prominent artists from Monterrey, including sculptors and painters. Later, she became a teacher and worked at universities in Monterrey, teaching art history, sculpture classes and workshops on three-dimensional papier-mâché.

In 2003, Villarreal, "full of dreams, excited and happy," moved to Wasco, where she initially focused on her daughter and took a break from teaching. It wasn't until 2010 that she resumed teaching in Wasco and Bakersfield and began exhibiting in Los Angeles.

As a teacher, she has earned top honors and taught other educators. She loves creating elaborate Day of the Dead altars and has judged numerous contests. Her art is recognized with many prestigious awards.

"I feel grateful and proud to have arrived in Wasco on January 3, 2003, and after 21 years, to contribute something beautiful to my community. I hope this mosaic is seen as an artistic representation that belongs to everyone in Wasco."

Villarreal emphasizes the importance of art: "Art is vital because it is ours. In Paris, children learn to love art from a young age. We need to foster that love. Art is everything-cooking is even art." She loves sculpting but finds mosaic work particularly fulfilling. "Mosaic is wonderful. It relaxes me, satisfies me, and challenges me. It feels like solving a puzzle. Art is in my veins."

Villarreal also spoke highly of working with Art Sherwyn, who created the concepts and selected the artists to make the pieces to enhance the Downtown Beautification Project. "He is a marvelous artist who inspired me and believed in my ideas." Sherwyn said, "She was an incredible find. Eddie Saldaña from the City Council recommended her. I found out quite quickly she was very talented in many areas of artmaking. Her experience with other high-level mosaic artists assured me she was the right choice to pull this off, and she exceeded my expectations."