New street art in Paraguay

Paraguay’s capital, Asuncion, is getting spruced up for its 479th birthday. The organization LatidoAmericano recruited 40 artists to paint murals in the city’s historic downtown. The artists, nine Paraguayans and 31 foreigners from around the globe, started painting a week ago and should be putting the finishing touches on their work tomorrow, August 25.

Although the artists work for free, their travel, lodging and materials were paid for by the city government and with contributions from private companies.

Many of the paintings draw on Paraguay’s cultural and environmental riches — the walls of the city are now emblazoned with caimans and yowling jaguars, historical and cultural figures, and scenes from Paraguay’s past.