Pop(sicle) art
San Antonio artist sticks new paleta sculpture in Historic Market Square
If the recent chilly weather has you dreaming of an early San Antonio summer with sweltering days cooled by a delectable treat, the city’s newly revealed sculpture may have you licking your chops.
Recently unveiled on the steps of Centro de Artes Gallery in Historic Market Square is a giant purple and blue paleta sculpture titled Sabor del Mercado, an appealing tidbit for the eyes created by San Antonio artist David Blancas.
Sabor del Mercado stands approximately 10 feet tall and was created with acrylic on wood with resin — and even includes what appears to be a sugary popsicle puddle beneath the sculpture.
Blancas, an accomplished muralist whose works can be found throughout Alamo City, has created more than 50 renditions of the beloved frozen treat, which kindles a sense of nostalgia for the artist.
“Paletas are an integral part of spring and summertime in San Antonio,” Blancas says. “I create paleta sculptures as a nod to childhood memories of chasing down the paleta man.”
The timing of the sculpture’s debut is no coincidence, as the City of San Antonio’s Department of Arts & Culture intended to share the scrumptious artwork with the community in time for spring break and warmer temperatures.
Additionally, the sculpture’s unveiling coincides with Centro de Artes Gallery’s newest exhibition: New York Foundation for the Arts Immigrant Artist Mentoring Program Exhibition – Round 2. The gallery will host the opening reception for the exhibition on Tuesday, February 22 from 6-9 pm.
“This vibrant sculpture is debuting at the perfect time, as we prepare to highlight the works of 34 San Antonio artists representing 12 different countries,” says Krystal Jones, the Department of Arts & Culture’s interim executive director. “Sabor del Mercado will be a visual identifier for Centro de Artes and the Historic Market Square, which includes a wide variety of culinary experiences.”
Located in downtown San Antonio’s Zona Cultural on the grounds of Historic Market Square, Centro de Artes Gallery is a two-story exhibit space that’s dedicated to telling the story of the Latino experience, particularly in South Texas, through local and regional art, history, and culture, and by showcasing Latino artists and Latino-themed artworks.
Learn more about Blancas’ Sabor del Mercado sculpture and other public art displays in San Antonio on the Department of Arts & Culture’s website. And get more info about Centro de Artes Gallery here.
