'What I Wish People Knew'
'WHAT I WISH PEOPLE KNEW'
AN INTERACTIVE MURAL SERIES
This mural project transforms community voices into public art, creating a space for reflection, visibility, and conversation. Rather than a permanent mural with fixed text, this 6 month project is intentionally designed as an evolving installation. Designed in partnership with artist Angelina ‘179’ Villalobos Soto, the background artwork will remain constant, while the quotes layered into the piece are interchangeable and will rotate monthly, allowing different communities to answer the prompt: “What I wish people knew.” This rotating structure reflects a core belief of CNTR’s work: survivors are not defined by a single experience. They exist within many identities and communities, and their voices deserve space beyond moments of crisis or Holiday awareness campaigns.
By designing the mural as a rotating platform rather than a permanent installation, the project invites multiple communities to participate over the 6 months, emphasizing the interconnectedness of lived experiences while also creating opportunities for empathy and dialogue across communities.
With the goal being to spotlight perspectives from communities that are so often skimmed over and/or monolithed, the project will work with and highlight the following communities for the 6 month series: survivors of DV/SA, undocumented community members, people navigating disabilities, incarcerated loved ones, LGBTQIA+ community members, and “Front-line” workers.
As the mural evolves, so do the conversations, revealing an invitation to show up differently for the communities around us.
ABOUT THE ARTIST:
My name is Angelina Villalobos Soto, and I go by my artist superhero name, onesevennine. With over 10+ years of experience, I am a Seattle-based Latine muralist, painter, educator, and illustrator.
My passion lies in creating murals that bring life and meaning to the spaces they inhabit. Drawing inspiration from my upbringing as a Xicana in the Pacific Northwest, my work beautifully blends elements of graffiti, anime, and fairytales.
As an artist, I am deeply mindful of how art can positively impact the community. I cherish every opportunity to
engage with the community and create vibrant and captivating murals that leave lasting impressions. My ultimate goal is to design safe and beautiful spaces for community members, fostering mindfulness and meaningful connections through my art installations.
My journey into the world of art began with a pursuit in Graphic Design, but I soon realized that I wanted to create art that extended beyond the boundaries of a computer screen. After working over a decade with Art Primo, an online graffiti supply company, I transitioned from being a part-time artist to dedicating myself fully to mural work.
Driven by my passion, I founded House of the Wolves, named after my last name Villalobos. As a small business, I specialize in creating vibrant murals for a diverse range of clients, including Meta (formerly Facebook), The Seattle Seahawks, Climate Pledge Arena, and The Seattle Kraken.
My artistic vision is guided by a powerful quote from local KEXP VJ Gabe Teodros: "If a tree can't grow there, I can't grow there." I draw attention to the struggle of growth in challenging spaces through my murals, often depicting nature and animals thriving amidst the manmade circumstances of urban sites.
Each of my murals aims to engage viewers to become part of their environment, encouraging observation, critique, and participation. I strongly believe that community engagement is essential for successful art planning and that art should be accessible to all.
Education is a central focus in my work, and I lead by example, showing the transformative power of art. My commitment to creating meaningful art that connects with the community drives my artistic journey.