Fiesta Poster Captures Spirit of the Dance

Today the 2007 Fiesta Poster artist, Steve DaLuz, was in the Fiesta Store signing posters and chatting with visitors to the store. Steve's work was unveiled last Tuesday night during the Poster Unveiling party held at the Sheraton Gunter Hotel before a crowd of Fiesta faithful.

The poster is a print of an oil painting and captures two women in the movement and spirit of the dance serving as a metaphor for Fiesta. The print is sure to become a Fiesta favorite and you probably will find it hanging around town in your friend's homes and in business and locales across San Antonio.

I stopped by the store to chat with Steve and get a few more details for the Fiesta Store Online. During the chat Steve told me how he came about the idea for the painting. Steve had in his mind the metaphor of dance and embarked on a journey last year to find that special image of dance for the poster. He visited many events, dances and festivals searching for just the right image.

Having a hard time Steve heard about the San Antonio Parks and Recreation's Bravo performance at the Arneson River Theater on the San Antonio River. Steve went to the event, camera in hand, to try one more time to find the right image. Grabbing a seat on the front row he told me he watched as the dancers, many who are young high school students, fill the stage with color and movement. Near the beginning of the performance he saw a line of young ladies in white dresses with pink ribbons in performance. He snapped several shots to take back and review. Steve said the simplicity of their dresses and flowing movement captivated him as the perfect image for the poster. Even though he had found his images he stayed for the rest of the performance.

Steve took the images and found two young ladies who would make the timeless picture he wanted for his poster entry. Having won the competition Steve unveiled his entry before all of San Antonio including the media. The next day someone from the Parks and Recreation Department called him and said she recognized the dancers from the performance. She was thrilled to see the performance immortalized in what would become one of the most prominent images of Fiesta 2007, the poster.

During the membership Store opening Steve was introduced to two young ladies, Andrea Morton and Laura Trevino. These were the two young women who would grace the posters, shirts, and other Fiesta items for 2007. Finally the artist had met the models of his work. One of the mothers was in tears, having raised and encouraged her daughter to excel in the dance she would now be captured in immortality through the image of Steve's painting. She told Steve that through this simple gesture many young students have been encouraged to work hard at their talent. As Steve told me, the poster captures timeless images.

The Fiesta Store Is Now Open

The Fiesta Store is now open with all kinds of official Fiesta items for sale. Along with the 2007 Poster you can get t-shirts, koozies, hats, mousepads, blinky pins, sashes for all your medals, and yes, the medals. Medals and pins from Fiesta and medals and pins from all the organizations and events. How could you ever get through a Fiesta without at least one or two good medals?

My good friend Fernando Villarreal tells me the opening has been spectacular with great crowds at both the soft opening for Commission members and the Grand Opening. As always the first in line for the Grand Opening gets a bag full of gifts from the President of the Fiesta Commission as well as coverage by all the local television stations.

Speaking of those medals, I can remember my first years working with the Fiesta Commission with Store Manager Tina Flatten when we put the medals out for display. At that time the store was located behind the offices in St. Paul Square. The entire size of the store was about 1/4 of what it is now. People would line up at the counter to pick out their collection of medals and pins. Now it's a tradition with some people making repeat visits to the Store to see what new medals and pins have arrived.

You can find your special Fiesta merchandise, medals and pins at The Fiesta Store located at 26111 Broadway behind the offices. The store is open Monday - Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

A Cornyation Legend Passes

While I was at the Fiesta 2007 Poster Unveiling I had the chance to chat with an old friend, Ray Chavez. Ray is the Commissioner and producer extraordinare of Cornyation. He was there with another good friend Curt Slangal who always does an incredible job designing the medals for Cornyation.

After we had caught up with each other Ray told me another good friend, Bob Jolly, had passed away recently. Bob served as the host and writer for many of the Cornyations I remember since coming to San Antonio. Bob always had that special caustic wit about him that would take a mundane event and bring out the cynical and comical side of it. Before every act Bob's words would give us a taste of the entertainment and satire we were about to witness on the stage.

After Fiesta I would always see Bob around town and we'd have so much fun talking about the past Fiesta and upcoming events. This year Cornyation just won't be the same without Bob.

Ray did tell me that Bob did leave his mark on this year's Cornyation before he passed. He came up with the tongue twisting theme of the court. I'd try to repeat it here but I know I'd mess it up as much as Ray did Tuesday night when he told it to me. You'll have to make plans for Cornyation to see what satirical theme Bob came up with.

Fiesta Poster Unveiled

Tuesday I attended the unveiling of the Fiesta 2007 poster at the Sheraton Gunter Hotel. It was great to see all the old friends from past Fiestas and to meet new friends as we waited for the moment when the artist lifts the veil over the poster and we see the design that will grace not only posters but t-shirts and many other items you can find at The Fiesta Store.

Steve DaLuz is this year's artist. He's a native of San Antonio and found his way to the role of Fiesta Poster artist through a really uncommon path. You see Steve didn't really start painting until he retired from the Air Force. After classes at SAC and UTSA Steve now works for a gallery on Broadway.

After introducing the five new Fiesta events Steve walked up on stage with Pres. Jorge Gonzalez and let us all see his creation for this year's Fiesta. I have to say it's a great design, bringing the color and art of folklorico dancers to life. Steve told me later he wanted to highlight the art and dance of Fiesta.

You can get your copy of Steve's creation at The Fiesta Store located at 2611 Broadway behind the Fiesta offices.