U.S. Rep. Charles Gonzalez was the keynote speaker. Other speakers included President Robert E. Zeigler; Jose Cosmé, lead artist for the mural and San Antonio College visual arts student; Emma Mendiola, Counselor and Title V Program Director; and Jane Madrigal, San Anto Cultural Arts Mural Coordinator.
The mural was created over the past two years in collaboration with the San Antonio College Hispanic Heritage Committee, San Anto Cultural Arts, and the work of volunteers at the college and from the community.
"The mural uses paint, mosaic tiles, and wood to visually represent this area's history," said Carla Mendiola, History Instructor and the Mural Coordinator for the college.
She said the mural "starts with Mexico's influence on our region and ends with a collection of historic Hispanic individuals. There are also mosaic tile images of Aztec calendar years. It will include an audio narration and a handout describing the mural."
Some of the following people are featured in the mural, and they or their family members were present at the ceremony: Chicano Movement activists Martha Cotera and Willie Velasquez, and founder of the American G.I. Forum Dr. Hector P. Garcia.
The event included a performance led by Aztec dancers Dr. Enrique and Lucila Maestas and poetry readings by Paul Sanchez and Joaquin Abrego. Information was available about how to learn more about your family history.
For more information, contact Carla Mendiola at cmendiola10@mail.accd.edu or Adolph Lopez, Hispanic Heritage Committee Chair, at 733-2305.
