As part of the community arts process, Ortiz led the Millersville University students in the documentation of community stories through audio and video interviews. From civic leaders to abuelitas, the students interviewed community members who shared their stories as Latinos living in Lancaster. Ortiz characterized the project as follows:

"The goal was to have the students take a step out of the classroom and studio and interact with the community. To break away from traditional academic structured lessons and challenge them to learn in a different way. I wanted the students to examine any stereotypes they might have of the Latino community and see themselves as the common thread to the community members they were interviewing. The murals are a culmination of the stories that the students collected- they are stories of survival, struggle, triumph and hope. The students were an integral part in the process along with the community members who opened their doors to share their stories. Overall, this project gives the Latino community a voice and presence in Lancaster, and the students an opportunity to learn the community arts process and see the true essence of the people with whom they connected."

Professor Filippone explained, "A primary objective of this project is collaboration and community engagement for Millersville's often culturally isolated student population and members of the Latino community."

The interviews will remain in the permanent archive of the Latino Studies Department. The end result of the project was the creation of two digital murals that represent the stories and images collected by the students. One mural will be installed in the Student Union Center (SMC), South George Street, Millersville University and the other at Clipper Magazine Stadium, North Prince and West Clay Streets, Lancaster City.

The following provided support for the MU/ Community Mural Project:

The printing of the Clipper Stadium mural was supported in full by Lamar Advertising, York/ Lancaster, PA, and the printing of the SMC mural was supported in full by Sign-a-Rama on Columbia Avenue, Lancaster.

The project was also supported by the Society on Latino Affairs, the University Theme Committee, the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, and the Latina/o Studies Minor.

This website was built by Aaron Chu under the supervision of James Pannafino for the MU/ Latino Community Mural Project.

Poster design was provided by Aaron Chu, Michelle Winey and Anthony Paprella for the course Design for Social Equity taught by Nancy Mata (2011).

Installation of the Barnstormers mural was provided by Lancaster Barnstormers.