"Semillas de la Diaspora" by Betsy Casañas, 2023

“Working with Live Well Springfield, I knew that the mural was going to have a theme that focused on environmental justice but I was surprised to learn from residents that Springfield has among the highest rates of asthma in the country. I chose this particular image of Brendalis Cepeda, a member of Bomba de Aqui, because in the traditional folkloric music of Puerto Rican Bomba, the person holding the maraca is the one who decides the tempo that others will follow - the person leading a group. On the maraca is an image of Atabey, a Taino indigenous symbol for fertility or mother earth. Surrounding her are several plants that were part of a study run by NASA to purify the air with plants. She represents the many women who are the first step in changing the impact that the environment has had on Springfield by empowering folks with small attainable goals that can transform the environment for generations to come.” Betsy Casañas

Several hundred people helped to paint this mural during the Springfield Jazz and Roots Festival.

The Live Well Springfield Climate Justice Initiative is a community group dedicated to raising awareness about the impact of climate change on Springfield's health and quality of life. The Coalition is organized by the Public Health Institute of WMass, and partners with Wayfinders, Arise for Social Justice, Neighbor 2 Neighbor, and the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission. The coalition hopes to continue climate justice awareness by advocating for policies that could increase health, impact climate change, and address racial equity in Springfield.

IG: @bzcasanas

This mural is located at 470 Chestnut St.