Summer, Nopal and Tuna, Black Bear

“Summer, Nopal and Tuna, Black Bear” by San Antonio artist Joe De La Cruz is a mural paying tribute to native plants and animals along with the seasonal migrations of the Coahuiltecan clans that populated this area for thousands of years. The artwork features a nopal cactus with two flanking black bears outlined over constellations on either side. The background is comprised of warm colored stripes evoking summer. The mural draws inspiration from the fruit of the nopal cactus known as “tunas.” Tunas were harvested from areas known as “Gran Tunales.” The nopal pads, especially, the younger ones can be eaten year-round. The black bear was common in South Texas. The bears were hunted by local natives and early Spanish explorers for their hides. “Summer, Nopal and Tuna, Black Bear” is part of the series “Four Seasons” located along Villamain Road at the Loop 410 these murals were created by four San Antonio artists and local nonprofit SMARTSA. “Four Seasons” is part of a series of murals for the World Heritage Mural Trail. This series is located in San Antonio’s World Heritage Corridor and is a collaboration with the City of San Antonio Department of Arts & Culture and the World Heritage Office.

Category: Mural

Medium type: Paint

Date created: 2017

Dimensions: 8' x 20'

PHOTOS

Location

SE Loop 410 Underpass at Villamain Road, San Antonio, TX, 78223

Additional Information

Accession Number: 2017.CRU.1
District: 3
Location: Villamain Road

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