A group of community leaders with ties to East Harlem has come together to bring a mosaic mural to honor the legacy of Puerto Rican educational activist and founder of ASPIRA, Dr. Antonia Pantoja. The mural, which will reside in a public space in El Barrio, will be created by renowned muralist, painter, sculptor and scholar Manny Vega.

The launch event for the “Dr. Antonia Pantoja Mural Project” will take place Thursday, Jan. 17, 2013, at 6 p.m., at the auditorium of the Hunter College Silberman School of Social Work, 2180 Third Ave. at 119th St.

The free event will feature the screening of filmmaker Lillian Jimenez’s critically acclaimed documentary, “Antonia Pantoja, ¡Presente!” (2009), followed by a panel discussion with Vega and Jimenez.  A limited edition engraving of Dr. Pantoja, created by Vega, will be sold to raise money for the Mural Project. In addition, copies of her memoir, “Antonia Pantoja: Visionary,” will be available for purchase at the event. Books will be provided by East Harlem’s own La Casa Azul Bookstore.
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