8 minute read
Recreation
The Torch of Friendship
Najo Jām
Stargazer
The (River) Art Walk Scavenger Hunt By Drew Henry
Get ready because the San Antonio River Walk is about to turn into an Art Walk! But this is not just any Art Walk. This is an Art Walk Scavenger Hunt. Follow along and see how many masterpieces you can discover. Do not worry. We will make sure to give you some hints along the way. Make sure to tag us on Instagram at @TheSanAntonioRiverWalk and use the hashtag #SARiverWalk so we can check out your artsy finds.
THE TORCH OF FRIENDSHIP
Ok, we will start with an easy one. “La Antorcha de la Amistad,” or “The Torch of Friendship,” was designed by the artist Sebastian from Mexico City. The 65-foot, 2-ton, orange steel sculpture is hard to miss! The art piece represents two cultures, languages and roads merging into one. (Hint: The roads are E Commerce and Losoya St.) “The Torch of Friendship” was unveiled in 2002 and has served as a symbol of San Antonio’s shared culture and friendship with Mexico ever since.
THE RIVER WALK ART GARDEN
The newly established River Walk Art Garden is just past “The Torch of Friendship.” This outdoor museum showcases the city’s latest public art displays and marks the gateway to San Antonio’s art scene. (AKA, this is a great spot to start your scavenger hunt.) Here are some of the top art pieces to check out.
GREEN SPACES AT MARKET STREET
San Antonio artists Ashley Mireles and Cade Bradshaw teamed up with STIMSON landscape architects to create this art installation portraying flora and fauna of the River Walk. The piece mirrors the duo’s wildlife viewing blinds at the Robert L.B. Tobin Land Bridge at Phil Hardberger Park. (Make sure to check that out, too!)
NAJO JĀM
San Antonio artists Carlos Cortés and Doroteo Garza modeled this piece after a peyote cactus to honor the indigenous groups that call San Antonio home. Eventually, this piece will be permanently located at Comanche Lookout Park in City Council District 10.
BLOOM
Stop and smell the art! The Bloom series by San Antonio artist Leticia Huerta can be found in greenways across the city. The River Walk installations resemble Yellow Columbine and Lantana flowers.
STARGAZER
Look to the stars for this one! Mexican artist Pedro Reyes created this installation from volcanic rock and marble. The piece features a woman that gazes upon a small star-like object held between her fingers.
Just A Perfect Day
ST. ANTHONY SCULPTURE
Steps from the Shops at Rivercenter, you will find a seven-foot bronze statue of Saint Anthony of Padua on the banks of the river. This piece was created by Portuguese sculptor Leopoldo de Almeida and presented to the city during the 1968 World’s Fair at the Portugal Pavilion opening. The work represents the religious influence on the city from the founding of the missions to today.
PADRE DAMIAN MASSANET’S TABLE SCULPTURE
Are those wedding bells ringing? Make your way down the aisle to Marriage Island to find the next art piece. This small heart-shaped island brings good luck to hundreds of couples who get married here every year. It is also the permanent home of the Padre Damian Massanet’s Table sculpture by San Antonio artist Rolando Briseño. This piece of art commemorates the city’s first Catholic Mass!
THE ROBERT H.H. HUGMAN BUST
Robert H.H. Hugman is the famed American architect and visionary behind San Antonio’s scenic River Walk. (So, of course, we have to include his bust on the Art Walk Scavenger Hunt!) If you have trouble finding his statue, try searching for The Republic of Texas Restaurant. Then, take a break and recharge with some famous San Antonio Tex-Mex.
SABOR DEL MERCADO SCULPTURE
We need to take a slight detour from the River Walk and make our way to Historic Market Square for the next find. On the steps of the Centro de Artes Gallery, you will find a giant blue paleta by San Antonio Artist David Blancas, who has created over 50 renditions of San Antonio’s staple dessert. While you are there, check out the gallery space dedicated to telling the story of the Latino experience in South Texas.
ART EVERYWHERE MURAL WALK
We have covered sculpture, and now it is time to change mediums. Are you ready for the Art Everywhere Mural Walk? Art Everywhere is an initiative that celebrates local artists by incorporating their art into the public realm and adding a bit of vibrancy to the city. There are currently 15 Art Everywhere murals gracing downtown, and we are highlighting three, which are just steps off the River Walk.
AND YET WE BLOOM MURAL
Artist Kat Cadena created this mural as a symbolic emotional response to the murder of George Floyd in 2020. Two women, one indigenous and one black, touch hands in the water and lock eyes in a gaze of support, trust and solidarity. Lotus flowers bloom around them. The lotus represents perseverance, blooming each day regardless of the circumstances. You can find this powerful mural tucked away across the street from the Omni de la Mansion hotel.
JUST A PERFECT DAY
While some murals seek to spark social change, others just aim to capture the perfect day. “Just a Perfect Day” is artist Allison Gregory’s love letter to San Antonio, showcasing the best the city has to offer, from beautiful views to classic margaritas on the river. Have you had the perfect day exploring a slice of the cultural art scene here? Circle the Hyatt Regency parking garage a few times to find this stunning piece.
SKY, EARTH & MARIACHI LACHO
Luis Valderas’ “Sky, Earth & Mariachi Lacho Over San Antonio” is part of Valderas ‘El Mariachi Lacho Series.’ As an ongoing body of mixed media works, Valderas uses the image of his father, Horacio Sanchez Valderas, dressed in his 1930’s mariachi outfit as an icon and alter ego.
Are you feeling just a little bit artsy? Do not forget to share your pictures on Instagram and tag us at @TheSanAntonioRiverWalk. After all, you can be an artist, too!
WRITER’S BIO
Drew Henry is a writer, yogi and meme enthusiast. When he is not writing, he is out exploring all Texas has to offer. View his portfolio at DrewHenryWrites. com and follow his antics on Instagram at @drewhenrywrites.
click on this:
RIVER WALK PUBLIC ART GARDEN
www.GetCreativeSanAntonio.com public-art/new-public-art/river-walk-art-garden
ART EVERYWHERE MURAL WALK
www.CentroSanAntonio.org/art-everywhere/
Your Adventure Begins Here! Discover San Antonio Through Kayaking, Biking and Walking Tours
San Antonio is a city rich in culture, history and natural beauty. At Mission Adventure Tours (MAT), our goal is for you to experience this firsthand through kayaking, biking and walking tours. Since 2017, Mission Kayak and Mission Adventure Tours has grown into San Antonio and Central Texas’ premier outdoor adventure tour company. You can certainly rent kayaks and explore on your own, but to really understand the heartbeat of San Antonio, guided tours are led by certified leaders adept at speaking in-depth on all topics ranging from history, culture and traditions to wildlife conservation and management.
GUIDED & SELF-GUIDED KAYAK TOURS
MAT supplies single person kayaks and two-person (tandem) kayaks, and we bring them to you for your selected route. Choose from three different kayaking trips that each highlight specific areas of the beautiful and scenic San Antonio River: Espada Park in the Museum Reach extension of the river, King William Historic District on the edge of downtown and the River Walk, right in the heart of the Alamo City. 2-, 3- and 4-mile trips accommodate all levels of experience, whether you are a beginner or expert paddler. MAT professionals can advise on the trip most appropriate for your skill level.
GUIDED BIKE TOURS
These 9- to 14- mile guided tours follow the Mission Reach Trail, which winds along the San Antonio River, past historic sites and public art installations. During each tour, you will enjoy stops at either two or three of the San Antonio missions, along with stops at other significant locations. The San Antonio Missions are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and while at each mission, your guide will walk the grounds with you, providing historical context and insight into the lives of the early mission founders and inhabitants. We use Raleigh 7-Speed cruiser-type bicycles, and also offer Aventon Pace 350 e-bikes for an additional fee.
CULTURAL WALKING TOURS
Our 3-mile walking tours introduce you to San Antonio's rich, varied and multi-cultural history. There is no better way to truly appreciate this great city than by wandering its River Walk and downtown streets on foot. Both of the two cultural walking tours are designed to provide you with a deep understanding of the people, events and forces that shaped San Antonio. In fact, they are great introductions to San Antonio and a perfect complement to one of our bicycle tours.
The Historic Churches Tour includes five historic churches founded in the 18th and 19th centuries by settlers from the Canary Islands, Europe and other areas of the Americas. These churches contain stunning displays of stained glass, beautifully painted sanctuaries and ornate carvings of stone and wood. Stops along the way include other historical sites such as the Alamo. The Heart of Downtown Tour provides a general overview of San Antonio's history from its 18th century founding, through the tumultuous 19th century focusing primarily on the Native American, Spanish, Canary Islander and Tejano inhabitants. This tour will also provide a solid understanding of the layout of the downtown area for future exploring.
PRIVATE & GROUP TOURS
Each private or group tour is customized to fit your needs and interests. You can select from one of our existing tour itineraries or we can modify and develop a new tour for you. Whatever method of touring San Antonio most appeals to you, we are certain you will gain an appreciation for the city and experience an adventure like no other.
