New community center murals mark city's first collaboration with San Antonio Street Art Initiative

The Ramirez Community Center cut the ribbon on two new murals dedicated to play and recreation — a first for the city's public art inventory.

By Brandon Rodriguez on Mon, Nov 28, 2022 at 4:57 pm

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Courtesy Photo / City of San Antonio Department of Arts & Culture

The mural Motivated Community by Adiana Garcia, Manola Ramirez and Maria Ramirez shows people engaged in sports.

San Antonio's Ramirez Community Center unveiled two new, large-scale public murals dedicated to play and recreation on Monday afternoon — a first for San Antonio's public art inventory.

The paintings mark the first collaboration between the city's Department of Arts and Culture and the arts-focused nonprofit San Antonio Street Art Initiative (SASAI). Titled Motivated Community and Joyful Momentum, both were created by San Antonio-based artists Adiana Garcia, Manola Ramirez and Maria Ramirez.

Adriana Garcia is a seasoned veteran of the mural art scene and a Carnegie Mellon School of Art alum. Sisters Manola and Maria Ramirez are UT-Austin graduates known for their unique graphic aesthetics, brilliant use of color and typography. Additionally, they head the San Antonio women's arts collaborative Lavaca Studios.

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Courtesy Photo / City of San Antonio Department of Arts & Culture

This closeup of Motivated Community shows words of encouragement.

In tandem, the two pieces are bold, whimsical and celebratory. Even through they make use of separate artistic disciplines — graphic design and portraiture — the murals to speak to one another. Together, they celebrate a community that understands the importance of playfulness and recreation, and the bright, fantastic colors bring joy to the Ramirez Community Center.

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Courtesy Photo / City of San Antonio Department of Arts & Culture

Joyful Momentum by Adiana Garcia, Manola Ramirez and Maria Ramirez shows a youth on a swing.

"The Ramirez Community Center mural project is the perfect example how inter-departmental collaborations can work to beautify our existing community spaces, said Department of Parks & Recreation Assistant Director Nikki Ramos in an emailed statement. "Through community participation and input, this mural gives this space identity and creates pride among area residents."

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