Javy Ortiz is currently painting away and is on schedule for a late summer install. We are planning for a unveiling party mid-September. He reports that of the 6 panels he is wrapping up the fourth one in the next week or so. He will be displaying one of the finished panels at the Fiesta this Saturday, June 6th to help keep some excitement about the project and let people get a sneak peek.

The artwork will be installed along the Lawrence Loop’s newest segment that runs from the Santa Fe Depot to 8th and Delaware near the historic LaYarda within a few blocks of where the La Yarda neighborhood once stood.

The Lawrence Arts Center, in collaboration with LiveWell Douglas County and the City of Lawrence Department of Parks, Recreation, Arts and Culture, selected Lawrence artist Javy Ortiz to create a long lasting original work of art to honor the Mexican American community of La Yarda, a housing unit created by the Santa Fe Railroad to house workers from 1920-51.