Excerpts from an INTERVIEW with John Vergara
(from the website: Our Humbolt Park, which has the full interview)

What has your involvement been in the community & for how long?

I’ve been working in the community for about eight years now. Born and raised in Humboldt Park, I’ve seen the good, and the bad. Other than that, I feel better giving back to the community now that I’m all grown up. Now that people see me as a role model for the youth, I can share my life experiences with the younger crowd and maybe they can learn from my mistakes, and I can teach them through my art.

What are some of your first memories of Humboldt Park?

My family brings me the most memories living in Humboldt Park. Many great memories growing up here: the food, culture, and music of course. But the one memory I will always remember is a mural painted on the corner of North Avenue and Artesian titled (La Crucifixion De Don Pedro Albizu Campos). I remember that as a kid and in 2010 I’m the lead Artist doing the restoration on the mural. I was honored!