Art flows along Museum Reach

Imaginative and historical, public installations meant to inform and delight

River Walk visitors in the mood for a stroll and a little public art will find lots to see along the Museum Reach, which runs from Lexington Avenue to the Pearl.

The artwork on and below bridges was commissioned by the San Antonio River Foundation as part of a project to enhance this stretch of the river. It was unveiled in 2009. A few other works nod to the city’s history: One once graced the home of Mayor Maury Maverick, and another features tiles created for Hemis Fair ’68.

Here’s a guide to what you’ll encounter, including some public art that isn’t part of the River Foundation project but is visible along the way.

The street-level pieces can be appreciated from below by folks who would rather not clamber up the stairs for a closer look.

If you’re looking for more info, check out sariverfoundation.org. Details can be found under the “Art Along the River” tab.

Maverick tile mural: The small mural can be found just below El Tropicano Riverwalk Hotel, 110 Lexington Ave. It depicts the goings-on outside a cantina in bright colors. According to the sign accompanying it, the piece was painted by artisans supervised by artisan and conservationist Ethel Wilson Harris in 1931. It originally was created for the home of then-Mayor Maury Maverick.

Bonus art! From the river, visitors also can see the intricate five-story mural that Chilean artist Basco Vazko painted on the side of El Tropicano as part of the 2014 edition of Luminaria, the annual arts celebration.

“29 degrees 25’ 57” N/98 degrees 29’ 13” W” and “29 degrees 26’ 00” N/ 98 degrees 29’ 07” W”: Stuart Allen’s installation below the Brooklyn and McCullough underpasses is an array of panels bearing a color palette drawn from photos the artist and his children took along the river. They appear to change colors as people pass by.

“Puente de Rippling Shadows” and “Puente de los Encuentros”: Rolando Briseño’s two

William Luther / Staff photographer This bright mural of a cantina scene just below El Tropicano Riverwalk Hotel was created for the home of then-Mayor Maury Maverick.