Heritage Murals
The Growth of a Thriving Future
Watershed Management Group (WMG); 1137 N. Dodge Blvd., Tucson, AZ 85716
The Santa Cruz Valley National Heritage Area collaborated with Watershed Management Group and artist Derrick Gonzalez on a mural at their Living Lab & Learning Center. Our goal was to create a visually engaging, public–facing mural that highlights the National Heritage Area’s unique natural environment, historic landmarks, and cultural traditions with a focus on watershed management and conservation.
More About WMG’s Living Lab & Learning Center
Visitors of all ages can explore sustainability practices in action through interactive exhibits and demonstrations at the Living Lab. The Living Lab also houses WMG staff working on programs in Tucson, Mexico, and throughout the Southwest. Learn about using the composting toilets, harvesting fresh snacks from the food forest, enjoying native gardens, and much more (can you spot some of these activities in the mural?) Visit WMG’s Living Lab online here.
Artist Statement by Deersinger, aka Derrick Gonzales
The Growth of a Thriving Future
“The piece is an abstract representation of the past, present, and future. There’s a lot I depicted within this timeline to showcase all the beautiful minds we have living amongst ourselves and our mother earth. This opportunity gave me the chance to experiment with a concept that the Water has always been here while finding ways to collect, preserve, and share it in a non and native way, so with that in mind I used it as a portal to balance out the elements to create an understanding through the subcultures. That there’s multiple practices we use to display the same principle, which is providing the gift of Water.”
Meet Derrick (DeerSinger) Gonzales
“All the different age levels and backgrounds we come from don’t matter that much because you have to remember we’re all in this one world together. It’s a rough but good path while teaching what I have been learning like the history of my ancestors of the Tohono O’odham Nation and Pascua Yaqui Tribe:
• How it was: We collected water as well as native fruit and plants to provide growth among our communities.
• How it is: We still practice those cultural teachings.
• How it could be: Use cultural techniques and apply our ways with modern teachings to grow even further and make connections with other like-minded individuals.
The past wisdom, like traditional ecological knowledge, has been around for many years and gives us grounding as well as a solid foundation. With people being aware of these important factors and wanting to understand those values in the present is an eye-opening experience. That gives me a sense of gratitude knowing that my ancestors had the right ideas to sustain the planet.
With this holistic mindset, there is always room to grow. It’s never too late to learn new things, especially for the future. It’s beautiful to know that there’s change happening to get more people involved in this way of life and that there’s always something to do for one another and ourselves, so the future has a future. Seven generations strong is what I chose to display how everything is connected to the people, elements, animals, and plants. We need one another to grow in a good way.
I just want to say, I’m very grateful to be able to share this part of my heart with everyone and everything. It’s rough, tough, but doable. We all want the same thing: A good path that is possible once we communicate, understand, and work together.”