DOWNTOWN MURALS COMPLETED AT TEXAS ARTS AND MUSIC FESTIVAL CLOSES

  
The O's perform Saturday evening.

Downtown Brenham has three new murals along Commerce Street following another successful Texas Arts and Music Festival.

Sunday evening, World renowned artist Jeff Soto was still putting the finishing touches on the owl mural he painted on the back side of the three story Faske building.  The side of the Corner Liquor Store building has a new mural featuring a bird, a bear and a blonde, created by artist Michael C. Rodriguez.  And the side of Ranch Interiors is covered with a mosaic mural designed by Daniel Anguilu.

Despite the threat of rain throughout the weekend, and a brief shower or two, hundreds of people turned out to enjoy the three-day Texas Arts and Music Festival.  With everything from food trucks, a beer tasting, an art village and art cars, to live music and even the 7th game of the American League Championship Series…the Festival had something for everyone.

Artist Daniel Anguilu puts the final touches on his mural.

Beau Hinze and the Backporch Shufflers perform Saturday afternoon.
The completed Michael C. Rodriguez mural at the corner of Commerce and Park Streets.

 

 

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46 Comments

  1. I LOVE the new murals! Fabulous new art on the back of beautiful old buildings works for me!

  2. Oh my goodness. I have so enjoyed reading all the comments! I moved here over 11 years ago. Purchased an old building. Started a business and even lived upstairs when hardly anyone else was living downtown. It was very empty downtown at that time. Now look, these last four years with all of us business owners and others buying old buildings and bringing life to this historic downtown. I love what is happening, the town now has a fantastic vibe to it…..
    Please, everyone has the right to an opinion but come on let’s have an open mind.
    These were artist that came to our little town of Brenham thanks to the board members of the TAMF. These property owners gave permission to the board to use these beautiful buildings as a canvas for the artist. We didn’t know what we were getting, we let the artist get creative because that’s what artist do…. let’s talk about how amazing these are and how many people are coming downtown just to see the art and will be visiting are local businesses. More people are visiting our little town more and more. I have owned three businesses downtown and yes they are still open, thank you. But my point is, I talk to people (my customers) and everything that is coming or that is already here is exactly what tourists have been asking for. It’s working!!
    This 2nd annual Texas Arts and Music Festival was a great success thanks to all those involved.
    Oh, and I Love the MURALS!!

  3. I love the murals! As a non-native (BOB), I can tell you when we moved here in 2005 there was very little to draw us to the downtown area. Now, we love it! We’re downtown all the time. Fun,cool, places to shop, eat, drink. Time marches on and I for one like to see positive change!

  4. I am grateful for the volunteers and organizers who put on a successful 2nd annual event for the Texas Music and Arts Festival! The murals are eye-catching and like all art, mean different things to different people. For those feeling that every mural should have Blue Bell, baseball, and bluebonnets, there is a mural that personifies Brenham on the wall of Must Be Heaven. I love that we can have art for art’s sake in such a prominent way. it shows a town that cares about the arts not just in words but in deeds. These events generate interest in Brenham and bring valuable tourism dollars as well as support to local arts programs. There is room for both historical and modern in the same downtown area–they do not have to be exclusive. Thank you again to the volunteers, performers, and artists!

  5. As a downtown business and property owner, I love all three of the new murals, and hope that they, and all the older murals, stay. I find some of the comments by those professing a negative view rather interesting. Our history is indeed important. But that is already known and well documented, and well represented in our town, even in the downtown area with Toubin Park, the Fire and (hopefully soon to reopen) Heritage Museums. Our history is studied at least three times a week, every week, in our schools, and there are sponsored Local History Days each May. I think we as a community cover the history of our area pretty well. But the arts expand more than pages of a book. The arts expand minds, and hearts, and enhance the spirit of our community. Look now! Look how these works have already inspired conversations! Some art indeed encapsulates meaning… sometimes that meaning is hidden, sometimes not so much. I spoke with Michael and Christina as they were working on the mural of the woman and the bear. I told them, “I see Goldilocks and the little bear.” Michael responded, “I don’t build any of my own meaning into my works. I let the viewer find their own meaning in it.” Amazing! I think that takes a lot of courage on the part of the artist… To try to create something that is only beautiful, and allow others to think what they wish about it, without inflicting your own viewpoint onto them. I think he succeeded fantastically! And the other artists did too! I think and hope that these works will generate thoughts, and feelings, and conversations, positive and negative, for many years to come.

  6. So excited to see the wonderful murals on our downtown buildings! Brenham is mixing the old with the new and it works!

  7. As a downtown business owner I love our art and entertainment district with the painted murals on the buildings. It shows our diverse community and will attract many visitors. Thanks Brenham for this progressive step forward !

  8. Owls are symbols of wisdom, so be wise, Brenhamites and treasure the wisdom among your artists. Birds are everywhere to be treasured in Brenham, so treasure the mural that honors your birds. And bears symbolize strong medicine in the areas of wisdom, strength and healing…this is the healing medicine of art. May your community be healed by these murals, bring home your children, and preserve the beautiful wildlife that surrounds you.

    I loved the festival as it shed a positive light on Brenham and created much happiness. You are more than your sacred icons. You are your people.

  9. News flash to the earlier generations,y’all aren’t the only ones living in this town. Let change happen please.

  10. Shame to see the closed-mindedness of some only wanting Brenham art subjects to be limited to bluebonnets, baseball, and Blue Bell (by the way, that mural is already painted). I appreciate the effort to give the exteriors of these buildings some life and personality to that area of downtown. All of those walls were in need of a fresh coat. Maybe the nay-sayers should have headed up an effort to repaint them. And you know what? It’s just paint. They aren’t permanent. And it’s a Corner Liquor store, not the freaking Alamo.

  11. Another great Texas Art & Music Festival has come & gone. This is a family-friendly event that Brenham needs and my family enjoys. The murals are beautiful and just like any art, will be loved by some and disliked by others.
    Thank you to everyone who participated to create this awesome event this last weekend.
    And as I drive through town each day I will admire those beautiful murals and have the memory of this weekend and all the fun with friends and family

  12. “Dang artwork, get off my lawn.” Let me ask please, what would be “more appropriate?” A Blue Bell logo? A Brenham Cubs logo? Gig em??? Lol I betcha that kind of artwork wouldn’t have anybody in an uproar. I for one think it is great that there is another side of Brenham that doesn’t just have to do with the awesome history of this town, but also the awesome future of it. Give it some time. Owl bet you might start to like it after all.

  13. It’s a great way to show a more diverse way of art that we don’t have here. And by bringing in known mural artists from all over the US shows a open minded mentality towards many different people’s interpretation of art. Glad to see people in this town involved and with a great positive sense of community. It’s people coming together in this great community that keeps things like this going so to anyone out there who likes things like this please get involved ask questions be part of what this diverse and awesome community has to offer.

  14. The murals look great! As pretty as bluebonnets and cows are, its nice to see more original and unique creations. Love it!

  15. The designs are striking. But I too, do not correlate the meaning of them in relation to the city of Brenham and Washington County, home to the birthplace of Texas. When I visit other places in this nation which are rich in history, the older structures depict the history with well executed paintings in churches, courthouses, libraries,museums, etc.. And when visiting such places with my young children these depictions are a source for learning and discussion. Our heritage and history seem to be taking a backseat to the pursuit revenue. History applies and appeals to the majority, and the same cannot be said for pop art. Pop art, when applied to modern structures in areas of urban decay undergoing a process of renewal can tastefully reflect cultures of nearby residents. But downtown Brenham, with its century plus old architecture, merits more. Who selects these designs?

    1. Most of the murals have no historic relation to Brenham. Taxpayers don’t pay for it. If the property owner hates it, it can be painted over. It’s just fun.
      As a downtown property owner, I can tell you, we are fighting the ‘urban decay’ by being progressive. I’m tired of dusty old stuff. I love dusty old people, just not dusty old stuff 🙂 The art is enchanting and as other people have stated, it’s just paint.
      Which year is my building getting a mural? I have too many windows. I’m hoping we’ll be doing an installation piece on mine, projected against the windows, so it looks like birds are flying through my building. I get it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, time and place. I hope you end up finding something to love in one of the pieces.

    2. They didn’t remove the history plaques around downtown if you were to talk you would still be able to enjoy historic downtown. If this is such a problem I feel like y’all should be speaking up about the bigger issue of people protesting to take down historic statues around the country.

  16. I’m really pleased with how they look and think they are a great addition to what was done last year. There were already photographers using them as backdrops for senior photos yesterday. What we’ve got with this art downtown is pretty unique and we’re lucky to have it as another attraction in our town.

  17. Maybe it’s just me, but I think these murals are just very ugly and out of place in Downtown Brenham. Downtown has always had a classic old school beauty. The recent repainting and beautification projects seemed to be trending that direction until these murals started popping up. They’re all very new-age and “Austin-ish” and clash with the traditional atmosphere of Downtown. While the artwork is very high quality, these types of murals are better suited for Austin than Downtown Brenham.

    1. To Old School Cool,

      As someone born and raised here, who moved away and came back to raise a family, this is exactly the kind of thing this town needs. We always here that we can’t keep Brenham kids in Brenham. Well if you want to get college graduates from Brenham, back to Brenham, you have to give them something to come back to. I love the scene in downtown. It’s got great places to hang out and have a beer that are cool and family friendly. This town literally, had nothing like that when I was growing up here throughout the 80’s and 90’s. I think this is a win, anything that draws people to this town to visit is good for hotels, bars, restaurants, you name it. I say good job and I look forward to next year’s event.

      1. Thank you born and Raised. You said it better than I could. While Brenham has a rich heritage it is also a college town and growing in exciting ways. Many residents are new to Brenham from houston or surrounded being areas and looking for downtown options. Lots of places in brenham do a lovely job of teaching and sharing Brenham heritage, so it’s great to show another side of Brenham today.

  18. The murals look great. This will be a great addition to downtown. As a tourist to Brenham I enjoy the heritage and now the murals too. I’d like to read more about the murals and each of the murals significance and meaning so I can truly understand the uniqueness symbolism. Main Street please give us your website too look up mural information.

  19. Wow! That was not what I was expecting when it came to the murals…These don’t really go with the town in my opinion. Anyone else agree with me?

    1. I agree Felicia. A mural covering the entire surface that represented the history of the town and surrounding area would be appropriate. Instead we have an abstraction of owls that means who knows what. The second, a comic book like picture a woman, bear, dove, and flowers (non-native). Both appropriate to a modern strip mall but not to a 200 year old city center that deserves respect. Strange but hey, I don’t live in the city and I don’t pay city taxes either.

        1. It means I don’t have any skin in the game as I live outside of Brenham. But those that pay a city property tax should have a say in the zoning, and that includes appearance of the down town area as it can have a +/- effect on their home value and ability to get a good price if needed.

          1. And apparently the murals fall within what’s permitted by zoning, so I ask again, what do city taxes have to do with the murals? And if you don’t have “skin in the game,” by your own definition, then why do you bring up this argument?

        2. Concerned Taxpayer, in answer to your questions and comments:
          -The murals may fall within zoning now, but that does not mean they will in the future.

          -If I’m up to it, I usually try to make an argument for or against anything that I believe directly or indirectly hurts myself and or my neighbor. In this case, it’s mostly my eyes and sensibilities.

          -Modern artists may not be able to create the type of art I describe, it takes a lot of skill and talent. However I’m sure you can find a traditionalist that can.

          -Please, say what you mean…

          1. Say what I mean? It’s a simple question; you’ve implied a connection between the mural painting and city taxes, and I’m asking what the connection is. “Zoning” doesn’t seem relevant here, but perhaps you’d like to expand on that?
            As well, twice now you’ve implied that “modern artists” are incapable of painting as well as you think they should. This is both demeaning and incorrect, primarily because, as someone else stated above, “Art is subjective.” There are many practicing artists whose technique employs the ‘ultra-realism’ that Rockwell is famous for, and several are both highly sought after and highly successful. I’m sure the event organizers would welcome your volunteer effort to bring one of them aboard for next year. In the case of the existing downtown murals, since your “eyes and sensibilities” are so deeply offended, I suggest you avoid the area of Commerce street.

          2. Christopher, you are correct. Unfortunately, no one remembers the mural that depicted the great Fire of Brenham, that was located on wall at Douglas St. nor does anyone pay attention th mural at entrance to Brenham from Bus. Hwy. 290 from Austin. This was painted in the early 1980’s and could use a little freshening up. There is so much history that could and should have be depicted: the great fire, the yellow fever epidemic, Independence, Tx. Chappell Hill stage coach inn, Salt Grass Trail, the old passenger train system, history on the cotton industry, Dr. Brenham and the black bean, The list goes on. Unfortunatly, we don’t see this thought process.

      1. Agreed, I personally always enjoy driving through Giddings and seeing their building murals that depict old ads. That would have been an awesome addition to the downtown area.

        1. The old style ads are nice. I was throwing out historical based art but that was just a kneejerk, easy solution. I doubt the modern artists could do it but I had a wall that needed painting I’d do it with art in the spirit of Norman Rockwell. A good example of his is “The Music Man”.

          1. Aaaaaaand now you’re tarring all living artists with a very large brush indeed. Somebody needs some art lessons…

    2. I do. I don’t mind the mural being on the Ranch Interiors building since it isn’t an old building. But the historical buildings should be just that. Let’s preserve those buildings. I like art, but there are others places for it.

      1. Whats so attractive about dirty old walls and chipping paint? The wall is preserved! Just got a facelift!

    3. Couldn’t agree more. It’s great artwork, no question, but so is the graffiti painted on the train cars that pass through our town. This makes our historical downtown look like an abandoned town I drive through in south Texas headed to my deer lease.

      1. I actually like getting caught by the train now just to see some of the artwork. And what is in Brenham is not graffiti. Wish the bear had been green, then maybe some people would have been happy.

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