Christen Mattix creates "Roots to Rise" mural for Burlington, WA

a woman stands in front of a brightly painted mural of Mexican folk dancers

Formerly a student and a faculty member of Western's Art & Art History Department, Christen Mattix has created a 14- by 63-foot work paying tribute to Mexican folklórico dance and women of all ages. Mattix (center), painted five folklórico dancers of all ages as a way to celebrate Mexican culture and dance The dancer she's facing was supposed to represent a younger woman, but Mattix decided to show human maturity “in all its beauty and fullness.”

Read the full story by Amy Kepferle at Cascadia Daily News

Photo courtesy of Todd Aylard