Santa Cruz Mural Apology

The city of Santa Cruz has apologized for painting over a Latino mural last year without warning the artist.

The city also plans to pay the artist $30,000

You call still see the original artwork underneath the white paint at Beach Flats Park.

Artist Victor Cervantes and a group of teens painted it back in the early 90’s depicting Latino culture and activism.

The city says it painted over it last year because it started to deteriorate and the plan was to start the process for a new mural.

In a letter posted to the city’s website last week, city leaders apologized for not notifying Cervantes directly, saying “For this, the city would like to express its deepest regrets.”

“our goal all along with this was to improve it and rehabilitate it so it looked freesh and new and exciting for that neighborhood. But as we’ve said, unfortunately, we should have been in touch with the original artist about our plans,” said community relations specialist Keith Sterling.

The city plans to really engage the community in the next mural and says it will definitely focus on the Latino culture again.