Grantee Spotlight

Grantee Story

December 20, 2022

The Artback

General operating support was provided to The Artback through Miller Foundation's Fast Track Arts grant program.

Que Tus Suenos Te Lleven a la Vida Te Haga Feliz mural in progress. Design by Reeva Wortel and The Artback. Photo: The Artback

In Estacada, Oregon, The Artback began as an artists collective and now engages community to bring together artists and supporters to create large-scale public art. The group has created over 20 murals, and renovated 6.

Reflections from The Artback staff on Que Tus Suenos Te Lleven a la Vida Te Haga Feliz project:

"Over the past two years the Estacada mural collective The Artback has collaborated with the local Latinx community to create the Que Tus Suenos Te Lleven a la Vida Te Haga Feliz mural (Let Your Dreams Guide You to a Happy Life). The artists and community organizers met with churches, non-profits, small business owners, schools, individuals, and families to have conversations about Latinx life in Estacada and ultimately to seek out what the Latinx community wanted represented in a mural about their culture. This process led to many conversations about family, food, faith, entrepreneurship, education, racism, inclusivity, friendships across difference, and the hopes and dreams that lead to a contented life in a community.
Having these conversations sparked unexpected opportunities for families and individuals to feel seen and included while celebrating the shared striving of young and old. Experiencing this reaction of Latinx community members made lead artist Reeva Wortel and her team curious to explore how they might expand this effort in a way that includes a wider spectrum of people and communities in Estacada."

Over twenty Latinx people appear painted throughout a colorful mural. Painted on the side of a dark building, the bright stripes of color and designs depict Latinx life in Estacada, OR.
Completed Mural: Que Tus Suenos Te Lleven a la Vida Te Haga Feliz (Let Your Dreams Guide You to a Happy Life). Design by Reeva Wortel and The Artback. Photo: The Artback

An artists hand paints the details of a child's eye in the mural
An artist paints details into the mural. Photo: The Artback

Learn more:

The Artback

Estacada, Oregon