Chicago, IL —
On Saturday, June 13, the Rizal Community Center will host a public Mural Dedication and Community Arts Celebration from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., highlighting a new large-scale Filipino American mural led by artist Michael Del Valle and created in collaboration with members of Sinag: Filipino American Artists of Greater Chicago.
The event marks an important new chapter for the Rizal Community Center, a historic gathering place that has served generations of Filipino Americans in Chicago through arts, education, culture, and community organizing. Following years of uncertainty surrounding the future of the building, the mural dedication symbolizes renewal, continuity, and a recommitment to preserving Filipino American cultural space in Chicago.
“This mural represents more than public art,” said Larry Leopoldo, director for the project. “It reflects the resilience of our community, the power of collective creativity, and the importance of protecting spaces where our stories, histories, and future generations can continue to gather.”
Led by Chicago artist Michael Del Valle and supported by more than a dozen participating muralists from Sinag, the mural celebrates Filipino American identity, migration, family, labor, food, creativity, and community life in Chicago. The project transforms the exterior of the Rizal Center into a vibrant public landmark intended to inspire reflection, pride, and dialogue within the Lakeview / Uptown neighborhood and beyond.
Jerry Clarito, President of the Filipino American Council of Greater Chicago, said the collaboration between the Rizal Center and Sinag reflects a shared belief that the arts can be a powerful force for social change. ‘Through this mural, we chose to honor both the triumphs and struggles of Filipino Americans whose contributions are often overlooked in mainstream history,’ Clarito said.
The mural highlights the civic participation and advocacy of Filipino Americans across generations. Among the stories depicted are early Filipino workers at the Pullman Palace Car Company who joined the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters and stood alongside Black workers in the fight against racism, segregation, and labor injustice.
The mural also honors the decades-long struggle of Filipino World War II veterans who fought for recognition and compensation after the 1946 Rescission Act stripped them of promised U.S. veterans’ benefits, a campaign that eventually led to partial equity through federal legislation in 2009.
In addition, the mural recognizes Filipino American domestic workers who helped lead grassroots organizing efforts for the Illinois Domestic Workers’ Bill of Rights, advocating for fair wages, rest days, and workplace protections. Together, these narratives affirm the enduring role of Filipino Americans in advancing labor rights, civil rights, immigrant justice, and community empowerment through collective action and resilience.’
The June 13 celebration will include the official mural dedication and ribbon cutting, artist introductions, live music, poetry readings, visual art exhibitions, a Jose Rizal exhibit, artist talks, and guided tours of the community center.
The event schedule includes:
11:00 AM – Doors Open
• Refreshments available in the Cultural Hall
• Community art gallery opens featuring works by local artists
• Jose Rizal exhibit opens in the lobby area
12:30 PM – Mural Dedication Ceremony
• Welcome remarks and speakers
• Introduction of Sinag muralists
• Official ribbon cutting
• Group photo opportunities with mural artists
2:30 PM – Community Arts Program
• Live music and poetry readings
• Artist talk and mural time-lapse presentation
• Self-guided tours of the Rizal Community Center
4:00 PM – Event Close
Participating artists in the Cultural Hall exhibition currently include Aireen Arellano, Maggie Arguelles, Geraldine Martinez-Benz, Tita Brady, Marea Cordero, Michael del Valle, Litany Esguerra, Stevie Fernandez, Set Gozo, Myra Kalaw, Sheryl Rullan-Coaxum, Susana Alforque Silvano, and Peter Stover. Additional participating artists and performers to be announced.
Founded as a center for Filipino cultural and civic life in Chicago, the Rizal Community Center continues to serve as a gathering place for artistic collaboration, education, intergenerational exchange, and community celebration. Organizers hope the mural dedication will introduce new audiences to the center’s long-standing cultural contributions to the city and reinforce its role as a permanent home for Filipino American arts and community life.
The event is free and open to the public.
EVENT DETAILS
Rizal Community Center
1332 W. Irving Park Road
Chicago, Illinois
Saturday, June 13
11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
MEDIA CONTACT
Larry Leopoldo
Director
Rizal Mural Project
larryleopoldo@gmail.com
312-956-7731
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