Piura murals honor cultural heritage and local identity

Students in the third cycle of Visual Arts at the Universidad Nacional de Arte Ignacio Merino launched the "Color y Memorias" project to address the erosion of cultural identity in Piura, Peru. Guided by muralist Bárbara Velásquez (known as "Barjoan"), they painted three large murals on the exterior walls of the Casa Hogar Santa Teresa de Jornet, each depicting motifs from the region's pre‑hispanic cultures – Vicús, Tallán and the Capullanas. The work also includes a portrait of the home's founding mother, linking historic memory with present‑day community service.

Project coordinator Ruth Sernaqué Navarro explained that the murals serve as a living reminder of Piura's traditions, values and history, inviting residents to reconnect with their roots. The initiative is part of a broader solidarity effort, including the "Conectando generaciones" campaign, which gathers donations and organizes activities for the Casa Hogar, reinforcing the university's commitment to socially engaged art.

The murals aim to transform public space into a cultural meeting point, fostering reflection on heritage preservation and strengthening the bond between the community and its ancestral legacy.