Tree of Knowledge, also known as the “Read” mural, was designed by Teresa Chacon and executed in 1978 by artists from the Chicana Action Service Center under direction from Josefina Quezada. The acrylic painted mural measures 10’ h x 40’ w. In the center of the mural a woman reads to a group of children, on the left side several young women stand and sit, reading books among trees. The tree trunks themselves are also filled bookshelves. On the right, three children play on a hillside. In 2004, a mural conservation effort was supervised by Josefina Quezada and a few elements in the mural were altered, such as an open book added on the far right which lists the names of the mural conservators. This book replaced a Pre-Columbian figure.

Information provided courtesy of Street Gallery by Robin J. Dunitz, 1993.

About the Artist: Josefina Quezada, a Mexican muralist, came to Los Angeles in the early 1970s to help restore David Alfaro Siqueiros’ Tropical America mural on Olvera Street. She has worked with artists from the Chicana Action Service Center to produce several murals in East Los Angeles, including one at Humphreys Avenue Elementary School.