ous culture is personified by native fauna and flora of Texas, depicting a collared peccary, superimposed over a green background with a pattern of foliage and seedpods from the Mesquite Tree. The Spanish culture is personified by a canary mastiff, a natural symbol of the Canary Islands, superimposed over a blue background and a wave pattern representing the national motto of Spain-“Plus Ultra” or “Further Beyond.”
1756 Laura Varela
This piece takes us on a visual and audio phonic journey through the water ways of Yanaguana, “the place of clear waters,” now known as San Antonio. It explores symbolism in nature that ties Varela’s relationship with her personal bloodline as Xicana. In 1756 the indigenous populations began their decline in the area; however, many will tell you that we are still here. Water, spiderwebs, the crane, and the cardinal are all symbols for those who are reconnecting to their ancestral ways, recognizing indigenous bloodlines, and being part of the movement in our communities for social justice. This work is not only a visual exploration but also a meditation on these symbols and our connection to nature. This piece is dedicated to the all indigenous people who walked this land and still walk this land today.
1757 Shannon Gowen
Mission Concepción was dedicated in 1755, and appears very much as it did over two centuries ago. It stands proudly as the oldest unrestored stone church in America. In its heyday, colorful geometric designs covered its surface, but the patterns have long since faded. In 1757 work began on the construction of an enclosing stone defensive wall for the compound. The first mission compound was originally enclosed by a wall that had fallen into disrepair by the time the new church was constructed. Apache raids of the San Antonio missions led to the enclosure of all five missions within stone defensive walls by 1760.
1758 Jenn Rodriguez
The piece I chose to make for this exhibition is centered around the completion of the original San Fernando de Béxar Church. I created a two-color reduction linocut that incorporates the design of both states of the church; the completed structure as it once was in the 1700s and the subtle impression of the cathedral which shares some of its walls today, making it one of the oldest churches in America.
1759 Rhys Munro
The dome shaped structure depicted, a typical dwelling used by the native Coahuiltecan tribes, is meant to honor their historical presence. Called “wikiups”, these homes were made of bent wood, brush, and animal skins. The fragmented composition symbolizes the displacement and “absorption” of the indigenous peoples throughout the 1700’s when Spain colonized what is now modern day San Antonio.
1760 Jason Kirkland
This assemblage of found objects focuses on the importance of religion in San Antonio while under Spanish rule in 1760. That was the year King Charles III declared the Blessed Virgin Mary under the title of Immaculate Conception to be a special patroness of Spain and all its eastern and western territories.
1761 Samuel Velasquez
Forming expresses that even relatively quiet years can still have an impact on the present. The formation, establishment, and trials of the people living in the missions of San Antonio were the building blocks that would later become this city.
1762 Georgia Zwartjes
Water was the source of life for the people, animals and plants of La Villa of San Fernando de Bexar. On August 16, 1762, several male citizens presented a petition requesting distribution of waters from San Pedro Creek and the San Antonio River. The following day, the Governor was accompanied by the greater part of the community to a place north of the villa where water was most abundant. A citizen, Geranimo Flores, determined the best irrigable lands were situated between the San Pedro Creek and the San Antonio River. In order to take advantage of these water sources, a dam and canal would need to be built. The dam would be constructed of limestone. The canal would be located atop a hill called Loma de la Vieja. This was the preferred si