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The City of San Antonio’s Office of Sustainability began working in February 2021 on a comprehensive community engagement, education and outreach campaign known as the SA Climate Ready, Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP), Public Engagement and Communications Initiative. Gathering input from residents was the first phase of the communications initiative. Through that research, residents identified public art as a community engagement tool.
In collaboration with San Antonio’s Office of Sustainability, San Anto Cultural Arts and the community, the first art project from the public engagement and communications initiative was unveiled earlier this month. The SA Climate Ready Community Mural represents the community’s vision for the future and its goal of making San Antonio a more sustainable and eco-friendly place to live.
“We stayed true to the idea that even the smallest effort can make a difference,” said featured artist Diana Rocha. “Whether it’s picking up trash at your local park, recycling, taking public transportation and riding your bike, or having a vegetable garden of your own — all these things can help sustain our future.”
Rocha was tasked with turning community input into a mural to splash across the side of the Yeti Cooling & Heating building at 627 N. Colorado St. Through an open dialogue, everyone in the community was invited to share their vision. They spoke to ways we can make our city more sustainable and the consequences if we don’t.
Community dialogue and input were vital in the creation of the mural. Rocha gathered inspiration for the design from her personal life and the series of community meetings where residents shared their thoughts on sustainability. Residents challenged the artist to break through stereotypical efforts like recycling and give localized everyday examples of sustainability in San Antonio. They asked for something colorful and vibrant, featuring clouds and native plants. They wanted to talk about water and gardening, and they wanted to see references to San Antonio’s history and indigenous parts of its story.
A passionate teenager offered the idea of a pair of hands holding the Earth to represent both caring for and gifting Earth to its people. Marigolds were suggested to symbolize our ancestors and the idea that sustainability goes beyond just one generation. “As we received feedback from our residents and representatives, the design was iterated and evolved to what it is now,” Rocha said.
After three community paint days and countless hours of collaboration, one brush stroke at a time, the mural came to life, and San Antonio’s community vision for sustainability was realized.
San Antonio is rich in art, culture and creativity. The Office of Sustainability is excited the mural will be the latest addition to our city’s robust artistic portfolio.
