Stained Glass Mosaic Para la Virgen de Guadalupe

Location: 1223 Trinity, between Chihuahua and San Carlos St.

Lead Artist: Anabelle Rodriguez

Partners / Collaborators: Taller Puertorriqueño, Guadalupe Home
Blessing and Dedication Date: Sunday August 10th, 2003

Mural Description: This mural was inspired by the indigenous aspects of the Virgen de Guadalupe. Native symbols and images have been incorporated into the mural. The use of indigenous symbols remind us of our roots and helps us to re-connect with our ancestors.

Anabelle Rodriguez works with residents of the Guadalupe Home on painting tiles for the mural.

This mural project is unique in several ways:
* This is San Anto’s first Muralist-In-Residency project.
* The project is a collaborative effort between San Anto Cultural Arts, The Taller Puertorriqueño Cultural Center in Philadelphia, and The Guadalupe Home for Homeless Expectant Mothers.
* This mural is our first stained-glass piece.

Anabelle works with a mural crew member on cutting glass.

The mural, entitled Stained Glass Mosaic Para La Virgen De Guadalupe, was designed and created by Philadelphia muralist, Anabelle Rodriguez, and a crew of San Anto Cultural Arts Mural Program participants. Anabelle Rodriguez was born in Aibonito, Puerto Rico. She arrived in the United States in 1990, to pursue an undergraduate degree from Brown University (B.A. History of Art and Architecture/The Visual Arts 1994). Her work experience includes: Education Director at the Ponce Museum of Art, holder of some of the finest and most comprehensive art collections in the Caribbean. She is currently the Visual Arts Director and Curator of the Lorenzo Homar Gallery at Taller Puertorriqueño, Inc., “the cultural heart of El Barrio” in Philadelphia.

Anabelle applies the firt piece of stained glass to the panel.

Anabelle is the first artist chosen for San Anto Cultural Arts' Muralist-In-Residency Project. This project is designed to give established muralists from San Antonio and throughout the country an opportunity to create community-based murals within the San Anto Cultural Arts Westside Mural District.

Anabelle works diligently on the face of the Virgen.

Jose Cosme and Anabelle work hard in the hot San Anto summer heat.

Louie Alejandro places the hand-painted tiles onto the building.

San Anto would like to thank Anabelle for her hard work and dedication to this project. Our community will be inspired for many years through the beauty of this exquisite public-art piece. We would also like to thank everyone who made this project possible: Andy Benavides/BZ Design, Tom Beno and Crew, Louie Alejandro, Rose Orosco, J-Ann Allen/Our Lady of the Lake Univ. Art Dept., and Heart of Texas Crane Co.

Volunteer, Tom Beno, works on framing the main piece of the mural.

Volunteers prepare to move the main piece of the mural out of the 1906 studios onto the crane in preparation for transporation to it's permanent home.

The crane opertor positions the piece onto the building.

Anabelle addressed the media at the blessing and dedication ceremony.

San Antonio Mayor, Ed Garza, addresses the media at the blessing and dedication ceremony.

Isaac Cardenas blesses the mural with an indigeneous ceremony.

Old School veterano vato enjoys the mural on a sunny day in San Anto.

Special thanks to Andy Benavides for allowing the use of his space for this project. Muchos thank yous', brother.