DC Hidden Murals #10: Mama Ayesha's Traditional Cache

The tenth in a series of caches I hope will bring attention to DC's wealth of "hidden" mural art.

The Mama Ayesha's Restaurant Presidential Mural by Karla 'Karlisima' Rodas, begun in 2007, completed in 2009, shows presidents from Eisenhower to Obama surrounding the figure of Mama Ayesha, whose restaurant's wall the mural adorns.

From Wikipedia:

Created by El Salvador-born artist Karla Rodas (aka Karlisima), the mural was funded by the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities. It has been described by locals as being DC's "largest postcard."

The mural's concept was planned by Mama Ayesha's family members, who have run the restaurant since its opening in 1960. Originally Mama Ayesha was not going to be the female centerpiece of the work. White House reporter Helen Thomas, a regular customer at the restaurant, was asked by the family to be included in the mural; she was to be shown seated at a desk with pen and paper in her hand. The family's request was politely declined by a "modest" Thomas, who supported putting Mama Ayesha in her place.

The artist's statement:

“The P.A.B.C. initiative (Public Art Building Communities), has allowed me to make a bridge between the community, the Restaurant Mama Ayesha’s, the arts and all the people who have made this mural a reality. This could not be done without the support of all the community and the help of the DC Commission and the Restaurant and all the entities who funded the project. I hope that this mural will become a teaching tool of the History of the Presidents for schools, children and the public in general. This is a gift to the City of Washington DC to celebrate this historical moment in American History and will remain open to the public to see for generations to come. This is fulfilling the idea that mural art is available for the public and for the masses.”

Please remember to replace just as found, and don't forget your writing utensil -- enjoy!

** Congrats to unusualsuspect for the FTF! **