Bihl Haus Arts Presents “Hard Hats: Portraits of Construction” Opening May 6

Mary Helwick captures the individual traits of laborers, tradesmen

and craftsmen she encounters daily

SAN ANTONIO (April 14, 2023) – Artist Mary Helwick has always been fascinated with the faces of people she observes in everyday life and wondered how she could capture their uniqueness in a portrait. She has now found the perfect subject: construction workers.

“In my professional role inspecting construction projects, I interact with a variety of construction workers on a daily basis and find myself artistically inspired by the characters and personalities of these workers,” Helwick said.

A series of portraits of 18 construction workers, including the artist herself, are included in Helwick’s exhibition, “Hard Hats: Portraits of Construction,” that opens with a reception from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Saturday, May 6 at Bihl Haus Arts, 2803 Fredericksburg Road.

Helwick’s focus of her portraits was to capture the workers’ individual traits while playing with color to create a vibrancy and synergy between the faces and backgrounds.

“Although not the usual subject matter associated with portraiture, it’s been a privilege to paint this group of light-hearted and lively co-workers,” she said. “Not only do they inspire me, but they educate me as well. They are the hard-working tradesmen, craftsmen, laborers, equipment operators, foremen, superintendents, etc. who physically construct our buildings, streets, and bridges and who maintain our utility systems.”

About the Artist

Helwick showed creative and artistic abilities at an early age. Although her passion for art was placed on hold while focusing on her career, she always had that calling to get back into it someday. After earning a BS degree in Building Construction, College of Architecture, from Texas A&M University, Helwick immersed herself in the technical aspects of the construction industry for many years.

In 2012, Helwick finally got back into art by taking a few classes through a local school district. In stark contrast to her daily work life, which demands precise attention to detail, she was finally able to tap into the “unrestrictive” creative side that had been suppressed for so long.

In recent years, Helwick has taken life drawing sessions at Coppini Academy of Fine Arts and has studied under San Antonio artist/muralist, Armando Sanchez, who has become her mentor. While Helwick is continually exploring various art styles, genres, and mediums, she is intrigued with drawing and painting portraits, using both charcoal and acrylics. In addition, as an amateur photographer, Helwick uses the camera lens as another artistic tool. Influenced by the vibrant colors and culture of San Antonio, Mary’s art is characterized by the use of vivid, intense colors in a bold contemporary style.

The mission of Bihl Haus Arts, a nonprofit arts organization, is “creating community through the arts” and is founded on the belief that each person, when given a chance, will achieve significant personal, social, and cultural growth through the arts. For information:  www.bihlhausarts.org.

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