New Mural Pays Homage to the History of Plaza de Armas

Published on November 03, 2023

Colorful tile artwork tells the story of this long-time gathering place.

SAN ANTONIO (November 3, 2023) - One of the largest tile murals in San Antonio, "Iluminación de la Plaza" by San Antonio artist Christopher Montoya, has been unveiled by the City of San Antonio's Department of Arts & Culture. Overlooking San Pedro Creek, the mural is located on the façade of the historic Plaza de Armas building (115 Plaza de Armas), which is home to several City of San Antonio departments and the Culture Commons Gallery.

Plaza de Armas (Military Plaza) was first established in 1722 as a parade ground and market square for the Spanish soldiers garrisoned there. After the 1850s, the plaza became a marketplace. This contemporary artwork references the historic use of the gathering space with imagery such as a covered wagon, cattle, vendors, tables of people eating, Chili Queens preparing food and a large lantern illuminating the scene.

"Completing this mural in such a historically rich area of downtown has been a huge honor for me as a native artist to San Antonio," said artist Christopher Montoya. "I would simply say, gratitude sums up the feeling of seeing the integration of the work into the landscape of our beloved city."

Montoya created the design as a painting on canvas and then the image was transferred on to more than 970 porcelain tiles to create the 18-by-24 feet public artwork.

"This is one of the largest tile mural projects in the City of San Antonio's public art inventory, so anyone exploring San Pedro Creek can look up and feel like they are walking through history with the famed Chili Queens in a bustling marketplace," said Department of Arts & Culture Director Krystal Jones. "The building itself is historic and beautiful, and this mural brings a whole new energy to the community space."

For more information about "Iluminación de la Plaza " and to see a map of the City of San Antonio's public art, go to SanAntonio.gov/Arts and follow the Department of Arts & Culture on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @GetCreativeSA and #getcreativesa.