Bihl Haus Arts Golden present "Golden Memories", 5-29

Bihl Haus Arts Goldens present First Mural Project "Golden Memories," Mural Unveiling and Reception this Saturday

A group of Very Important Artists at Bihl Haus Arts, called the Goldens, are ready to unveil their first large-scale mural "Golden Memories," along with their exhibit of more than 70 paintings and craftworks created over the past year at Bihl Haus Arts, Saturday, May 29th, from 4 to 6 p.m., 2803 Fredericksburg Road inside the gates of the Primrose Apartments.

The Goldens, under the direction of lead artist/muralist Adriana Garcia, spent months laying out the design and painting from memory (many of them are in their 80s(!), but please don’t tell them where you heard that) to create “Golden Memories,” measuring 15 feet across and 6 ½ feet high, painted with acrylics on five 3-foot wide portable canvas panels.

"The Goldens have devoted themselves wholeheartedly to painting this mural, and it shows in the depth of ownership they've taken in the project," said Bihl Haus Arts Executive Director Dr. Kellen Kee McIntyre.

The subject of the mural is drawn from the personal memories, old and new, of Golden painters Maria Larralde, Felicitas Luna, Dora Maldonado, Martha Mosley, Ruth Navarro, Leona Pappas, Carolyn Sanchez, Adela Solis, Judith Wagoner, and Irma Wilson.

Bright colors and inventive patterning enliven the mural. On the left are childhood recollections—many good (riding on a merry-go-round, going to the drive-in theater, coming to San Antonio by train), a few not so good. (working as a child migrant in the fields).

At center is a large gnarled oak, its withering leaves on the left, symbolizing the passage of time and fading of memory, contrast with bright fluttering green leaves on the right, signifying hope, renewal, and life. Beneath it, three Goldens, wearing aprons flecked with paint, perch on the Dreambench, a charming recreation of the mosaic tiled bench made by the Goldens two years ago and found outside the Bihl Haus under a lone oak.

At right, more recent memories dominate the canvas: New Year’s fireworks from the Tower of the Americas, a distant view of the modern City skyline, and a charming “portrait” of the Bihl Haus. Tying the various parts of the mural together are golden sunrays, emblazoned with hopeful words like family, love, friendship, talent.

Muralist Adriana Maria Garcia, a San Antonio native, has worked on community murals with the San Anto Cultural Arts Center and Casa de la Cultura in Del Rio, Texas, giving voice to issues such as mental health and immigration. She is best known for her colorful portraits and murals using bold brushstrokes and often paints women who have a strong sense of self. "It is important for me to represent women in a very strong manner and to dignify them in a way that I see them every day," said Garcia.

The body of artwork on exhibit, most available for sale (100% of sale price benefits the Golden), produced in art classes over the past year taught by artist Terry Lopez de Castilla, includes works by Goldens Rebecca Anguiano, Hulen Brown, Manuela Cantu, Shirley Cunningham, Doris Delley, Sue De Mouy, Maria Larralde, Felicitas Luna, Dora Maldonado, Martha Mosley, Ruth Navarro, Leona Pappas, Carmen Sanchez, Carolyn Sanchez, Adela Solis, Judith Wagoner, Caroline Ware, and Irma Wilson. Juror David Zamora Casas will be on hand at the reception to announce the winners of this competitive exhibit. Guests may participate by casting votes for the People’s Choice Award.

The Goldens mural and exhibition are supported in part by grants from the City of San Antonio Office of Cultural Affairs, the Genevieve and Ward Orsinger Foundation, The Greehey Family Foundation, the Potashnik Family Foundation, and Primrose at Monticello Park Senior Apartments, where Bihl Haus Arts is located.

After its unveiling at Bihl Haus on May 29th, the mural will travel to the Dolph Briscoe Library at the UT Health Science Center San Antonio, where it will be on display June 3rd through late July.