New Guadalupe River mural more than an artistic statement
Alfonso Sanchez’s ‘We Are Still Here’ pays tribute to the area’s Muwekma Ohlone tribe
Alfonso Salazar’s mural, “We Are Still Here,” is a powerful addition to Pow!Wow! San Jose’s effort to create an art walk along the Guadalupe River Trail. But what makes this one really special is the meaning behind the images, which pay tribute to the Muwekma Ohlone tribe of the
Bay Area.
The mural on the trail below street level is accessible by stairs near San
Fernando Street, along the river where the Muwekma Ohlone once lived. And the title references the federal declaration in the 1920s that the tribe was extinct, a finding that members and descendants are actively working to overturn.
Members of the Muwekma Ohlone Council were present for Saturday’s unveiling, where San Jose City Council member Raul Peralez and
State Sen. Dave Cortese presented commendations to their leadership, and Calpulli Tonalehqueh honored them with a ceremonial dance.
Salazar, 59, grew up in East San Jose and is the third artist-in-residence to contribute to the Guadalupe River Trail art walk. In 1986, he painted the mural for El Tarasco restaurant on Fourth and Taylor streets, filled with historical and cultural elements of the Mexi
can experience. Sadly, that piece was whitewashed in 2011 by the building’s new owner, but this new mural certainly conveys its spirit in a new setting.
Salazar said in a blog post that tribal leadership provided input as he worked on his concept, and he spent time learning about the history of the tribe before he began painting. His imagery includes Ohlone elders in the clouds, and Charlene Nijmeh — the tribe’s chairperson — was the model for the face at the mural’s center, representing today’s tribe.
“It was really important that a new contemporary depiction was portrayed and that the stories should not be isolated to the past,” said Juan Carlos Arajuo, co-founder of Pow!Wow! San Jose and Empire Seven Studios, which partnered with the Guadalupe River Park Conservancy on the installation.
OFF TO A RUNNING START >>
I’m sure a few people in downtown San Jose were surprised Sunday morning
to see and hear more than 1,000 people on the streets for the inaugural Bloom Energy Stars and Strides Run. Bloom Energy Vice President Carl Guardino said between sponsors and participants, the event surpassed its fundraising goal, providing $262,000 to the Valley Medical Center Foundation.
While people had the option to participate virtually — registering to run on their own and selfreporting results — it was the first in-person running event in the Bay Area since the pandemic started in 2020.
Future installments of the race will take place on Fourth of July weekend, but people still embraced the theme for August, with one woman running while carrying a U.S. flag and others dressed in versions of the stars and stripes. (Style points to Michael Elliott, the VMC Foundation’s acting executive director, who wore a full-on U.S. flag suit but didn’t have to run in it.)
Before the race began, runners were asked to think of someone who helped get them through the pandemic. My thoughts were of Chris Wilder, the VMC Foundation’s
executive director, who is on medical leave after suffering a stroke in March. He’s had a remarkable recovery so far, and while he’s got a long road ahead of him still, he’s expected to be back home from rehabilitation this weekend.
LAST CALL >> Fans of 7 Stars Bar & Grill — the “Star Wars” themed joint on Bascom Avenue in San Jose — have been stopping by for a last round this week, as the bar and eatery is closing Aug. 28. Owners Paul and Marya Cunha said in a YouTube video that their lease is up at the end of the month, but they are actively looking for a new location in the South Bay where they can relaunch.
“It’s hard,” Marya Cunha said. “We’ve been here for 10 years, so it’ll be a new adventure for us.”
7 Stars will be open to the public today and Thursday this week, with ticketed events for regulars planned for Friday and Saturday. Let’s hope the Force is with them as they look for a new spot.