photo by: Courtest of Lawrence Arts Center

Lawrence artist Javy Ortiz

A Mexican-born Lawrence artist has been chosen to create an original public artwork to honor the Mexican American community of La Yarda, a housing unit created by the Santa Fe Railroad to house workers in Lawrence in the early part of the 20th century.

The artist, Javy Ortiz, is a self-taught interdisciplinary artist who pulls inspiration from personal experiences, as well as pop culture and contemporary social issues, according to a news release Saturday from the Lawrence Arts Center, LiveWell Douglas County and the City of Lawrence Department of Parks, Recreation, Arts and Culture.

photo by: Courtesy of the Lawrence Arts Center

A sample illustration of Javy Ortiz’s artwork

Ortiz will create a long-lasting original work of art to honor La Yarda, which housed workers from 1920 to 1951 in East Lawrence. The artwork will be installed on the Lawrence Loop trail system at the intersection of Eighth and Delaware streets within a few blocks of where the La Yarda neighborhood once stood.

The announcement described Ortiz as having an experimental approach to creating.

“Mixing and layering mediums such as acrylics, spray paint, and epoxy resin, Javy creates compositions that explore identity and resemble the path we navigate through our daily lives,” the release said, noting that Ortiz’s work has been featured in numerous group exhibitions regionally and can be found in many private collections.

Community engagement will be an important part of the project, and organizers will publicize opportunities for community members to meet with Ortiz and share feedback throughout the process, the release said.

Ortiz’s 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. Historical signage to accompany the artwork will be funded separately by the Douglas County Natural and Cultural Heritage Grant Program.

An exhibit called “Finding La Yarda” is currently on display at the Lawrence Arts Center until Sept. 21. Project director Marlo Angell described the exhibit as combining architecture, ceramics, videography, photography and more to create an interactive scene from the La Yarda complex.