Released on = February 12, 2006, 7:23 pm

Press Release Author = Oscar Martinez

Industry = Entertainment

Press Release Summary = Thirty years ago artist Oscar Martinez created the mural
\"Asi Nos Unimos, Nuestra Victoria\" in the Spring of 1975 on the walls of La Casa, a
Latino cultural center at the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana

Press Release Body = For immediate Release
February 12, 2006

Artist Oscar Martinez completes a historical significant mural at the University of
Illinois at Champaign that took 30 years in the making.
Contact: Oscar Martinez, (708) 386-7635, oscar@oscarmartinez.com
Artist Oscar Martínez of OAK PARK, IL- February 11, 2006
Thirty years ago artist Oscar Martinez created the mural \"Asi Nos Unimos, Nuestra
Victoria\" in the Spring of 1975 on the walls of La Casa, a Latino cultural center at
the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana. \"The purpose of the mural is to
showcase the various Latino cultures, heritage, and the struggles of Latino students
on campus. They struggle to achieve educational fairness and to open the doors to
educational opportunities for all\" said Mr. Martinez. The mural is located at a
building that currently houses the Latina/Latinos Studies Program, 510 E. Chalmers,
in Champaign.

In 1975 Mr. Martinez, a student at the university, had very few financial resources
and limited supplies to paint the mural. As a result, he used his own paints and
depended on small donations from other students. In order to maximize the paints, he
used water down colors with the intent that someday he would be able to return and
add the final layer of paint to the mural. In addition, his plan was to paint the
ceiling and other walls on the first floor of the building. He ran out of time and
was not able to finish the mural.

On the 30th anniversary of the mural, he was invited to restore and finish the
mural. \"I am thankful to Chancellor Nancy Cantor, Latino students and faculty for
their support and active involvement in allowing me to complete and restore the
mural,\" said Mr. Martinez. The ceiling part of the mural was intended to be a
painting of hope and of reaffirmation to the many struggles Latino students endure
to assure the prosperity of Latino on campus. As a result, the ceiling mural theme\'s
is the celebration the many Latino cultures and symbolizes their hopes and
aspirations. The colors of the painting are bright and he use nature as a metaphor
of Latinos tie to the land and agriculture. The mural speaks about reaffirming of
Latino and students rights and of political power. It celebrates education as a tool
for prosperity and knowledge. It also pays tribute to students who sacrifice their
well being so that others can take advantage of the many educational opportunities
offered by the university. \"It conveys spiritual growth and cultural pride as we
take our place in society\" said Mr. Martinez.

The ceiling mural uses the same design style as the original wall mural. \"I am
grateful to have been given the opportunity to complete a project that is close to
my heart and that has been used as a symbol to influenced positive changes and pride
at the university\" said Mr. Martinez.

Oscar Martinez\' Biography
Oscar Martínez was born in Maragüez, Puerto Rico and resides in Chicago, Illinois.
Through the study of science and art at the University of Illinois at Champaign, in
1977, he received a Bachelor of Science in Medical Art from the University of
Illinois Medical Center. Mr. Martínez is an accomplished artist who has had
numerous group and solo exhibitions throughout the Caribbean, Mexico, and the South
Eastern and Midwest regions of the U.S. Among his many credits, his work has been
shown in the Museum of Bellas Artes and the National Historical Museum in Mexico,
the Desplaines Museum in Illinois, NIU Museum's Gallery in Chicago, the Field Museum
of Chicago, the State of Illinois Museum in Springfield and its gallery in Chicago
at the State of Illinois Building. Additionally, his work has been featured on
various television shows and published in newspapers and magazines.

Martínez was actively involved in the Chicago mural movement and has painted
numerous murals throughout out the city. Moreover, he was appointed by the Mayor
of Chicago to judge the international Design/Build competition for the Chicago
Public Library and the selection of the library\'s art collection. He was also
appointed by the Governor of the State of Illinois to the Illinois Arts Council
where he served as chair of Media Arts. Furthermore, he has served on various
boards and commissions including as President of the Latino Institute of Chicago.
He currently completed a ceiling mural at the University of Illinois
Champaign-Urbana. Recently, To be publish in 2006 he was included as an famous
Hispanic in the U.S. in a biographical books about Hispanic that will be publish
in 2006 by Americans for the Brown Reference Group in the U.K. He also 2005 was
included in a chapter in the book \"Desde los escondrijos de Satán: crónicas
[entredichas] sobre el arte y la cultura en Puerto Rico\"by Egberto Almenas Ph.D.,
Published in San Juan, P.R., by ELF Creative Workshop, 2005
His artwork can be viewed at www.oscarmartinez.com
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Web Site = http://www.oscarmartinez.com

Contact Details = 100 Forest Place, P-47
Oak Park, Illinois 60301
(708) 386-7635
martinezart@hotmail.com