Final answer:
Judith Baca studied mural techniques during a time when Mexican muralism was prevalent, conveying social and political messages through public art led by famous artists like Diego Rivera.
Step-by-step explanation:
Judith Baca, an American muralist, began studying mural techniques in the mid-1970s, a period where mural painting in Mexico was prominent as an artistic expression to convey social and political messages.
The Mexican mural movement, spearheaded by Diego Rivera, José Clemente Orozco, and David Alfaro Siqueiros from the 1920s through the 1970s, aimed to make art accessible to the public and often displayed revolutionary and populist themes.
Baca's experience in New Mexico likely exposed her to these influences, contributing to her own large-scale public artworks that merge personal and historical narratives to engage communities and address social issues.