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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Fireworks show features fiddler ... Police reports, June 30-July 1 ... Verbal assailant likely has mental issues ... Fireworks show features fiddler ... Police reports, June 30-July 1 ... Verbal assailant likely has mental issues ... PUBLIC ART Ceremony marks completion of Guanajuato mural in Ashland Comment By Caitlin Fowlkes For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By Caitlin Fowlkes For the Tidings Posted Jun. 30, 2016 at 8:20 PM By Caitlin Fowlkes For the Tidings Posted Jun. 30, 2016 at 8:20 PM » RELATED CONTENT • Guanajuato: Painting the town • Council OKs mural on Calle Guanajuato • Entre Amigos: Sister City universities open new era of collaboration... » Social News The Guanajuato mural was officially unveiled Thursday morning. The mural is on the exterior side wall of Sesame Asian Kitchen restaurant facing Calle Guanajuato. It depicts the vibrancy of Ashland’s Mexican sister-city Guanajuato, and is meant to serve as an attraction to the downtown area, as well as a representation of the strengthening bond between Ashland and Guanajuato. “As you approach from Lithia Park, you see Calle Guanajuato,” said Barry Thalden. “I think it will attract people to that delightful area of Ashland. It’s sort of a grand entranceway.” The 53-foot long, 24-foot high image depicts the mountains and colorful buildings and streets of Guanajuato. Barry and Kathryn Thalden commissioned the mural and funded the project through the Thalden Foundation. The Thaldens fell in love with Guanajuato after visiting in 2015 and saw the need for a piece of public art depicting the sister-city. “I believe my husband sees Ashland as one big canvas,” said Kathryn Thalden. The Thaldens traveled to Guanajuato, Mexico and interviewed six artists from the area before selecting Laura “Loreta” Rangel Villaseñor, a self-taught mural artist from Guanajuato. Her work has been exhibited internationally. “I wanted to capture the landscape of Guanajuato, the color of the city and the charming aspects,” said Villaseñor. “These are the highlights of the city, but only some.” Villaseñor began painting the last weekend of May and finished Wednesday, according to Ann Seltzer, staff liaison for the Ashland Public Arts Commission. Villaseñor was assisted by four Southern Oregon University art majors. “Her concept perfectly conveyed the character and feel of Guanajuato, which is a very colorful city,” said Kathryn Thalden. The Thaldens previously commissioned a mural on the side of the Ashland Emergency Food Bank on Clover Lane. The mural artist for that project, Denise Baxter, speaks fluent Spanish and assisted with the Guanajuato project, providing technical support. “It amazes me, the reputation we have, in Ashland, for theatrical art,” said Barry Thalden. “But perhaps, just perhaps, we could have a reputation for visual art, also.” Kathryn Thalden began the dedication ceremony, giving thanks to the many individuals and city departments that aided in the mural process. She reminded the crowd gathered in the street to support their sister city. “We celebrate Guanajuato through the mural, which is a reminder to those of Ashland … to embrace what is different, and yet what is the same,” said Kathryn Thalden. Mayor John Stromberg took the microphone and would have personally thanked each individual involved had the directors of the program let him. The mural was approved through various departments of the city, including the Public Arts Commission, Historic Commission, Parks Commission, the Planning Department and the Ashland City Council. The city waived the $1,012 planning application fee for the mural because it is a work of public art and benefits the bond between the cities. Mayor Stromberg called up many people to stand in front of the mural as he spoke, including four visiting dignitaries from Guanajuato. He jokingly attempted to kiss the representative for the Guanajuato mayor, Juan Carlos Delgado, closer to the mouth than Mexican culture calls for. Delgado politely dodged the greeting and took the microphone with a chuckle. He then greeted the crowd in Spanish. The president of the Amigo club, Mina Turner, translated until the end of the speech when Delgado ended in English with “We are waiting for you in Guanajuato. Guanajuato is your home too.” The Amigo club is an organization that promotes the relationship between the sister-cities. Each year citizens of both Ashland and Guanajuato take turns visiting their sister-city. It has been tradition for 47 years that Guanajuato visits Ashland for its famous Fourth of July celebration. Various other individuals were recognized for their cooperation in the process. Barry Thalden ended the ceremonial speeches with a phrase that received much applause from the internationally diverse crowd. “While some politicians talk about building a wall between the U.S. and Mexico to separate us,” said Barry Thalden. “This will be a different kind of wall that will bring people, cultures and nations together out of joy, love and mutual respect.” Email Tidings intern Caitlin Fowlkes at [email protected]. By Caitlin Fowlkes For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By Caitlin Fowlkes For the Tidings Posted Jun. 30, 2016 at 8:20 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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