La Follette High Students Unveil Latin American Mural

A new community art project at the Madison school celebrates the cultural identities of immigrant students.

Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Hispanic

La Follette High Students Unveil Latin American Mural

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Approximately 35 students at La Follette High School in Madison recently unveiled a new mural representing Latin American identity. The artwork, created through a year-long workshop, features symbols including country flags, the Madison Capitol, and depictions of immigration journeys.

Why it matters

The initiative aimed to create a welcoming space for recent Latin American immigrant students within the educational environment. It specifically addresses a perceived lack of comfort and representation for these students in local schools.

The project involved 35 students who collaborated over a one-year period. Participants were required to have resided in the area for up to 5 years.

The players

La Follette High School

This is a public secondary school located in Madison that serves as the site for the new community mural.

Paola Mayorga

She is a local artist who guided the student group through the design process for their collective art project.

University of Wisconsin-Madison

This public research university provided the necessary grant funding to support the student workshop project.

The details

Facilitated by local artist Paola Mayorga, the mural design emerged from a series of student-led brainstorming sessions that explored personal themes such as family, music, and food. The final piece is displayed on an exterior wall near the school cafeteria at the Summit Credit Union office.

October 14, 2026: The mural was officially unveiled at the school.

Culture Shift

This mural project follows the structure set by The Culture I Bring With Me workshop. It reflects a broader movement in academic settings to prioritize inclusive art that validates the lived experiences of immigrant students.

Residents and students can view the new artwork on the exterior wall near the school cafeteria. The project provides a permanent visual testament to the diverse backgrounds of the local student population.

The takeaway

Artistic collaboration can be an effective tool for schools to build a sense of belonging for immigrant youth. By integrating personal narratives into public spaces, institutions create more inclusive environments for their student bodies.