Sueños Migratorios Hopes of Migration

Just like birds, we migrate. We come from the Dominican Republic, Mexico, El Salvador, Puerto Rico and other places. Many birds move with the seasons to find food and to raise their young. We came for a better life. Here in Reading, we get a better education and there are more opportunities. We want the opportunity to reach our goals, to fulfill “OUR DREAMS.”

-Artist statement written on the mural

Location
640 Greenwich Street,

Reading, PA 19601

Project Support

Sponsors:

Pennsylvania Migrant Education

Reading School District

Reading Plaza Supermarket

DCNR Nolde Forest Environmental Education Center

The Reading Public Library

West Lawn Graphics

Parker Paint

Mural design

Michael L. Miller

Assistant Artists

Luis Beltran

Robert Kucharczuk

Mural fabrication:

PA Migrant Education Students

PA Migrant Education

Sergio Mery

Patricia Vlasak

Jasmin Sánchez Cordero

Project completion

2007

About the Project

The design for this mural began with a series of photos of the core group of students participating in the mural. The theme of a migratory birds fit the project well, as many of the students in the core group had moved to Reading, PA from another place in the world. Some of the students had moved from places where these birds fly to each winter. The student artists in this project researched the birds portrayed in the mural, and worked diligently in mural studio and guided community volunteers to help with the project. Family and friends joined them at the Northeast Branch of the Reading Public Library to hear a bilingual presentation about the project and help paint a portion of the mural. The finished artwork was featured in both local and national publications addressing the lives of migrant families.

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