Bay Area mural vividly depicts the people who have ‘built and sustained’ a community

• By: Warren Pederson

• Published: June 27, 2026

The strength and spirit of the Latino community resonated Friday evening with the unveiling of a mural in downtown Half Moon Bay.

The mural wraps around the headquarters of Ayudando Latinos A Soñar and depicts themes that define the community organization’s mission: a folklórico dancer, a farmworker with a barrel of Brussels sprouts and an elderly woman surrounded by hydrangeas — representing culture, labor, family and community.

About 300 people were on hand for the unveiling, including community members; city officials and staff; volunteers; and clients of Ayudando Latinos A Soñar, which translates to “Helping Latinos to Dream.” The event also featured folk dancers, community artwork and performances by accordion and guitar players in ALAS’ music therapy programs.

The mural, by Chicago-area artist Rafael Blanco, joins other public installations that tell the story of the diverse communities that call the San Mateo coast home.

“This mural is a reflection of the people who have built and sustained our community for generations,” said Belinda Hernandez-Arriaga, founder and CEO of ALAS, in a statement. “We wanted to create something that honors our farmworker families, our elders, our traditions, and the vibrant future we are building together. This mural belongs to the entire community.”

ALAS has served families in the Half Moon Bay area since 2011 with programs emphasizing health, education, economic opportunity and community well-being. The organization played a crucial role in supporting farmworker families and coordinating community response to the 2023 Half Moon Bay mass shooting at two mushroom farms, in which a former worker is accused of killing seven people and critically injuring another.

Blanco and filmmaker Oscar Guerra, who is making a documentary on the mural, said creating the artwork gave them the opportunity to meet many community members, visit local farms and even go surfing.

“In all my years as an artist, only a handful of times have I felt that my work truly became part of a community. Half Moon Bay is one of those places,” Blanco, a studio artist since 2004 who has created large-scale works nationally and internationally, said at the unveiling, according to a release from ALAS. “The warmth and generosity of its people renewed my belief that public art can transform spaces, connect people, and leave a lasting sense of community.”

Guerra added: “This mural was created for the people of Half Moon Bay, a lasting tribute to the community and the stories that make it unique.”