Ground Breaking on my First Public Art Project!

On Friday, the 14th, I attended a ground breaking ceremony for a bridge project on Mulberry and Ave. B (for those in San Antonio, that is the Bridge that goes over the Catalpa-Pershing ditch that starts near Ft. Sam, borders Brackenridge Park, and eventually ends up in the San Antonio River. It is on Mulberry between Lion's Field and Kiddie-land Park).

 Below are drawings of the bridge and a close up of the panels. Cast recesses will be created into which I will set and grout my ceramic murals.

Two years ago I was awarded a $30,000 commission to add artwork to the bridge. During the design process, the award was expanded to $50,000 and I now have two near-identical bridges to create public art for! The first one is on Mulberry, and will depict the lifecycle of the Gulf Coast Toad (the most common urban toad in Texas.) An amphibian was chosen because they are the "canaries in the mine" when it comes to the health of our waterways. The elongated quatrefoil shape refers to the windows of the Joskie Pavillion, located in the heart of Brackenridge Park.

The second bridge will be an art deco design which refers back to the 1920's when Brackenridge golf course was first created out of the then wilderness. It is the first public golf course in Texas, and created by one of golf's pioneering architects: A.W. Tillinghast. The shape of the ceramics refers to the eves on the clubhouse (Old 'Brack). And the vertical panels will contain a bas relief carving of the weather vane on top of the clubhouse.

It is an honor to add to the city's rich visual history. Stay tuned to this blog for updates on the progress!

Diana

New Studio opening soon!

 I will soon be moving out of my cozy home studio and into a 2000 square foot working space, just in time to begin my first public art commission for the City of San Antonio!

The new space is at 2013 Blanco, San Antonio, TX. Just across the street from Chris Madrid's Restaurant. Come see me! As soon as the work space is up and running, work will begin on the 1000 square foot retail area in the front of the building. This will mean my loyal and patient customers will no longer have to wait for a craft fair, gallery show, or have to endure digging through tubs filled with bubblewrap and pots to find that perfect serving piece or gift for a friend! I hope to have it up and running in a couple of months.

I want to express my deep appreciation to Robert and Rosie Escamilla. About a year ago, I was at an event that Robert was attending and we had a casual conversation where Robert mentioned he was looking to buy some real estate for investment purposes. I jokingly told him he should buy a building and rent it to me. Well, six months later, I got a call from Robert who said, "I think I found the building!" So here we are, about to open a dream of a ceramics studio. Robert and Rosie are giving me an opportunity that I never imagined. It is a game changer as far as what I will be able to create in the next few years. It is humbling to receive such an opportunity, and I will do my absolute best not to waste it! Robert and Rosie, we are going to have a blast!

Keep that wheel a turning!
Diana