Murals celebrate Chinese influence in Mexican border town

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02:45

Walls usually divide communities. But one border city in Mexico is using walls to bring people together. A series of murals are spotlighting the contributions immigrants have made to the community – especially those from China.

For years, this neighborhood in the Mexican border city of Mexicali was virtually forgotten. But an innovative art project aims to change that.

This is one of 23 newly-painted murals in the Chinese neighborhood, located just blocks away from the U.S.-Mexico border. The artist calls the piece "Three Emigrants Like the Three Kings."

It celebrates the fusion of Asian and African cultures in this part of Mexico.

The renovation project was coordinated by the Tomato Collective. It began with a contest with more than 200 artists from around the world vying to participate. Just 21 were selected, mostly from Mexico along with one each from Kenya, France, and Italy.

Local residents agree. Amado Beltran is originally from Mexicali and immigrated to California to find better-paying work.

This mural explores the history of Chinese immigrants in Mexicali. Historians say they were among the original founders of this border city. This mural was painted on the side of Mexicali's Reforma Theater.

It used to be the site of dance productions, plays, and concerts, but like most of the buildings in this neighborhood, it too was closed down years ago.

Artist Marco Miranda is the creator of the mural. His works of art have been shown in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, and China. Miranda said his mural is a show of respect to this border city's mix of cultures.

On this side of the border, artists and their corporate and government supporters have decided that instead of separation these walls would be used to create a stronger sense of unity. And that's also the message they are trying to send across the border.