Rail Trail "Generations" mural

February 09, 2025 • 7 Comments

Fred and I first walked to this particular section of the Santa Fe Rail Trail near Santa Fe High School (between Siringo Road and St. Michael's Drive) in late October of 2022. Our friend and avid cyclist, Robert, had ridden by the mosaic mural under construction numerous times, and thought it would be a good idea to photograph the mosaic in progress. So we walked - me with camera in hand - along the trail to the area where volunteers and lead artist Julie Deery were at work. On that day, two panels were complete, with elements on the bottom of several other panels also in progress. Here is a shot of the mosaic at that point in time.

Santa Fe Rail Trail mural 2022 6

Today, the mosaic runs for the length of 10 panels of concrete block wall. The concept, planning, artistry, and actual application of the mosaic is impressive. It can be seen by Rail Runner riders as the trains rumble by, and appreciated by cyclists, runners, and walkers along the trail.

Because "generations" of volunteers, from school children to adults of all ages, worked on the mosaic, there are surprises to be found throughout the wall. One element with the most splash is the sun with expansive rays above the mountains, slashing New Mexico's blue sky.

Regardless of the type of animal - real or cartoon in nature - they comprise the topography and layers of the mosaic. Elements such as the sun, mountains, and water have enough common tile shapes, sizes, and color to establish consistency but at the same time they are punctuated by hundreds of two dimensional surprises to keep even the most scattered human brain working.

The "Generations" mosaic mural dedication tiles

February thanks to Barbara F. R., M.Fred B., Jean & Sam, Victoria, Steve, Terry T., Claudia, Heather H., Mary Pat, TTT, and Marilyn R. for commenting this week.

My hope is that wherever you are now, you are able to appreciate art and nature in abundance with camera in hand.

until next Monday,

a passion for the image©

Keywords: Blacks Crossing Photography, Daryl A. Black, Generations mural, Julie Deery, New Mexico, photography, Santa Fe, Santa Fe Rail Trail Mural

Comments

Heather Herd(non-registered)

Thank you for this brilliant display, Daryl! I had forgotten about this project. I participated in a teachers’ arts training day a couple summers ago, when we worked with this muralist and got to create our own small section of the mosaic. If my memory is correct, she had recently moved to Mew Mexico, and was donating her artistic services for free. She had hoped to become connected to the community this way. I thought this was a generous and great idea!

Ingrid(non-registered)

What a beautiful community art work! Thanks for keeping up with it Daryl.

Victoria(non-registered)

Daryl this jogged my memory of when i did a tub surround in the mosaic style. Lordy, was i sorry when I was about 1/4 of the way done, but very happy with the end result! It is a labor of love and glad there were many hands to bring it to fruition!! thanks for sharing it!

Steve Immel(non-registered)

I remember vividly your 2022 post with the first two panels completed. Thanks for sharing the finished product. Public art is a gift for which we are grateful and is performed over the world in major cities and the countryside. It feels like it stems from the human need to produce art, to leave a history or tell a story.
Murals have interested me for several years and I have a mental list of some of the major efforts in El Paso, San Diego and the northern part of the San Fernando Valley, all with large Hispano communities. Oaxaca is famous for its elaborate street art, as well.

The Generations mural is a major undertaking. I'm delighted that the Santa Fe schools are part of the effort. I love the cyclist's thumbs-up, a warm note of approval.

Connie Taylor(non-registered)

Ditto the comment about vision and cooperation. So many people see and benefit from the shared passion of this project.

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