The large-scale mural will permanently enhance the Farmer’s Market building exterior.
The City of San Antonio’s Department of Arts & Culture today released a schedule of community paint days, which provide an opportunity for members of the public to help create a new mural that will be installed on the north-facing wall of Historic Market Square’s Farmer’s Market at Commerce Street. The Spirit Within is a massive 18′ x 155′ mural being developed as part of the Department of Arts & Culture’s Public Art Program by collaborative artists Ashleigh Garza and Hailey Marmolejo in coordination with San Anto Cultural Arts.
The theme and style of the artwork, which is bright, colorful and pays homage to the history of women and their work at Market Square, was determined through a series of community engagement sessions as part of the Department’s Public Art Process. The mural features women donning luchador masks, constellations and Alebrijes (brightly colored mythical creatures represented through Mexican folk-art sculptures which can be found throughout Market Square). Every element incorporated in the mural serves as a reminder that the location’s rich multicultural history is imbued with feminine connotation.
“Historic Market Square has been a playground for creativity and community for centuries,” said artists Garza and Marmolejo in a joint statement. “We wanted to interpret this exuberance by making the Alebrijes of Market Square come to life, while highlighting women, the history of San Antonio and the city’s multicultural population. The title of this mural speaks to the spirit of hope, love, strength, and resilience that we all embody.”
The mural is being created on polytab on the grounds of San Anto Cultural Arts. Once completed over the summer, the mural will then be transported and installed onto the brick Farmer’s Market building facade in the fall.
“This mural provides the perfect opportunity to come together as a community to celebrate and be part of San Antonio’s Public Art history,” said Department of Arts & Culture Interim Executive Director Krystal Jones. “You don’t have to be an artist to help out, just willing to get a little messy and work as a team to accomplish this long-lasting tribute to San Antonio.”
COMMUNITY PAINT DAYS DETAILS:
- WHEN: Every Wednesday and Friday at 3 – 6 p.m. between May 18 and July 1, 2022, and May 14, May 28, June 11, and June 25 at 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- WHERE: San Anto Cultural Arts, 2120 El Paso St.,78207
- DRESS: Clothing that paint can get on; closed-toe shoes highly encouraged
- MORE: No previous painting or art skills required. Open to all ages. Onsite experts will guide volunteers through the process including understanding the paint selections, tips on painting, and discovering more about the production process. No RSVP required.
- POINT OF CONTACT: Cassidy Fritts, San Anto Cultural Arts Community Mural & Public Art Coordinator, murals@sananto.org
This mural is part of a multi-year Zona Cultural Public Art effort, supported by 2017 Bond program funds, with the goal of creating a visual gateway connecting the City’s Westside to San Pedro Creek and the heart of downtown. Additional public artworks to be created in the Zona Cultural will include sculptures at corners of Frio and Commerce Streets and a mural on the back of Plaza de Armas building facing San Pedro Creek.
For more information about The Spirit Within and to find out about arts and culture programs and events, visit www.SanAntonio.gov/arts and follow the Department of Arts & Culture on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter at @GetCreativeSA and #getcreativesa. Source: Department of Arts & Culture
