Coat of Many Colors: San Antonians Invited to Create Public Art Mural for Historic Market Square

May 18, 2022 - Downtown

By Jade Esteban Estrada, Co-Editor | San Antonio Sentinel

The City of San Antonio’s Department of Arts and Culture has announced 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 the Farmer’s Market at Historic Market Square on Commerce Street. The Spirit Within is a massive 18’ x 155’ mural being developed as part of the Department of Arts and Culture’s Public Art Program by collaborative artists Ashleigh Garza and Hailey Marmolejo in coordination with San Anto Cultural Arts. Organizers say that the large-scale mural will permanently enhance the exterior of the Farmer’s Market building. 

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. Almost every element incorporated in the mural seems to serve 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 Garza and Marmolejo last week 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.” 

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The mural is being created on polytab on the grounds of San Anto Cultural Arts. Once completed, the mural will be transported and installed onto the Farmer’s Market building facade, which is made of brick, in the fall. 

This mural is part of a multi-year Zona Cultural Public Art effort, supported by the 2017 Bond program funds, with the goal of creating a visual gateway connecting the city’s West Side 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. 

“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 Krystal Jones, interim executive director of the Department of Arts & Culture. “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.”

The paint days will take place every Wednesday and Friday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. between May 18 and July 1, 2022. For those who would prefer to paint earlier in the day, painting sessions will also take place May 14, May 18, June 11, and June 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. San Anto Cultural Arts is located at 2120 El Paso Street. 

Community members are encouraged to wear clothing that they would not mind getting paint on, and closed-toe shoes. 

These events are open to all ages and no previous painting experience or art skills is required. On-site experts will guide volunteers through the process including understanding the paint selections, tips on painting, and discovering more about the production process. No RSVP is required. Cassidy Fritts, San Anto Cultural Arts Community Mural & Public Art Coordinator, is the point of contact and can be reached at murals@sananto.org. 

For more information about The Spirit Within and to find out about arts and culture programs and events, click here. You can also follow the Department of Arts & Culture on social media. Their handle is @getcreativesa on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. 

Jade Esteban Estrada is a co-editor for the San Antonio Sentinel where he covers public health and other citywide issues. jade@sasentinel.com | IG: @satxwriter