Santa Clara City is happy to announce the dedication and open house for the large Santa Clara Mural. Everyone is invited to view this incredible work at the Santa Clara Town Hall (2603 Santa Clara Drive) and take in the added bonus of an exceptional show of fine art featuring more than 15 invited artists with an international client base. Dedication: May 1, 11:00 am; Mural Artist Julie Rogers Presentation: May 1 noon & 6:00 pm; New Vision Art Show & Sale: May 1 & 2 10:00 a.m.-8:00 pm.
The Santa Clara City Mural, depicting the journey of Swiss immigrants, who in 1861 left their native homeland and traveled to the Santa Clara River Valley, measures 27 feet wide and 7 feet high. The painting tells the impacting story of this journey by highlighting members of the original group and by creating images related to the experience i.e. sacrifice, love, courage, charity, faith, hope, posterity, prayer, work, and joy.
The artist is Julie Rogers, a veteran painter who is noted for her works that display a strong sense of pioneer heritage. In this piece she deftly portrays deep emotion, and her techniques radiate awe inspiring imagery that breathes a vibrant quality into her painting. She captures the look and feel of the early Santa Clara Swiss pioneers by using descendants as models for specific figures. “It adds a deeper sense to their character,” she says. “When I use descendants as models there is a connection that makes it right, and it becomes easier to paint. I often feel the presence of the subjects I’m painting, and the descendants, even with generations removed, still carry a sense of the stature of their forbearers. I love how it all comes together.”
Rogers has been painting the mural onsite and it has created a stream of interested persons from would-be artists to casual onlookers, to Swiss descendants, to school and church groups who have come to view her at work and to see the progress. Kathleen Nielson, Special Events Coordinator for Santa Clara, states that now that the mural is in its final stages of completion, it carries a message to all of us. “We are all, or nearly all, the progeny of immigrants to this country, and the mural portrays that sense of accomplishment to each of us. In fact, the artist created a young girl in the mural who represents posterity. And the artist tells everyone that she represents more than the Swiss posterity, she represents all of us here who have come to live in this region. ”
Everyone is encouraged to come by to see this beautiful work during the two days of open house, May 1 and 2.
The Second Annual New Visions Art Show and Sale will also be at the Santa Clara Town Hall on May 1 & May 2 from 10:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. Along with Rogers, 15 other nationally and internationally acclaimed artists will have work on display and for sale. This is an opportunity for the experienced and the novice art collector, as well as those who simply appreciative fine art, to attend a show representing some of the finest art available. This show is sponsored by Authentique Gallery and The Mission Gallery of St. George.
For more information about the Dedication or Open House, contact Kathleen V. Nielson at 435-229-8310 or email her at kathleen@infowest.com.
For more information regarding the New Visions Art Show & Sale, call Jane Juber at the Authentique Gallery, located at 199 N Main in St. George at 435-688-7278.
