We are thrilled to announce that local artist Javy Ortiz has been selected to create a permanent work of public art honoring the La Yarda Mexican American community.
Javy Ortiz is a Mexican-born, self-taught interdisciplinary artist based in Lawrence, Kan. He draws inspiration from personal experiences, pop culture, and social issues, working with various mediums like acrylics, spray paint and epoxy resin. His work explores identity and the paths we navigate in life and has been featured in numerous regional exhibitions and private collections.
La Yarda was a housing unit established by the Santa Fe Railroad to accommodate workers from 1920 to 1951. The artwork will be installed in late 2025 on the Lawrence Loop trail system at the intersection of 8th and Delaware, a few blocks from where the La Yarda neighborhood once stood.
Community engagement will be an important part of this project. There will be opportunities for community members to meet with Javy Ortiz and share feedback throughout the process.
This public artwork project, made possible by funding from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas as part of LiveWell Douglas County’s Pathways to a Healthy Kansas grant, will recognize the contributions of the La Yarda residents and invite visitors to revisit history while engaging in the outdoor trail system.
The steering committee comprises arts professionals familiar with the field of public art from the Lawrence Arts Center and the Lawrence Department of Parks, Recreation Arts and Culture, community members from the La Yarda families, and representatives from Douglas County Live-Well, the East Lawrence Neighborhood Association and the Watkins Museum of History.
The Douglas County Natural and Cultural Heritage Grant Program will fund historical signage to accompany this artwork.
Learn more about La Yarda HERE.