Town to dedicate 'Taos Timeline' wall mural                                                         Home

 By Jerry A  Padilla The Taos News

 

Mayor Fred Peralta and the Town of Taos Council have offered an invitation to everyone to join them at the dedication of the Taos Timeline Mural at 3:30 p.m. Sept. 17.

The Taos artists who painted them, George Chacon and Giovanna Paponetti, are planning to be on hand to describe and explain the historical content of the paintings, located on an outer wall of the Town Hall complex at 400 Camino de las Placitas

 

These artists were commissioned to paint four paintings, each depicting scenes relating to Taos history, particularly those between the years of 1300 to 1848, as part of last year's local observance of the Cuatrocentenario, the 400th anniversary of the arrival of the first Spanish settlers in New Mexico in 1598.

Some of the scenes show the artists' conceptions, based on historical fact, that include pre-Columbian Taos Pueblo life, Captain Hernando de Alvarado's first view of the area during Francisco Vasquez de Coronado's 1540‑42 expedition, the 1598 arrival of Don Juan de Onate, the Pueblo Revolt of 1680, a peaceful encounter at the Pueblo during a 1696 Spanish reentry visit, Padre Antonio Jose Martinez educating local youth in the 1800s and the establishment of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo in 1848.

 

Chacon and Paponetti are well‑known local artists, with years of participation in Taos art events.

Completing 31 area murals in the past 10 years, Chacon is perhaps best known for mural projects he has completed in the area.  He did a series of murals at Taos ski valley, depicting medieval themes and knights. He also painted the Taos landmark, "El Santero" at Cabot Plaza and a mural about education and the community in the Taos Middle School cafeteria. His murals showing sea life and environment at the Don Fernando Swimming Pool and a scene depicting the first encounter between Taos Pueblo natives and the Spanish at the Taos Public Library also are prominently displayed. "El Santero" has appeared as the cover of Ravel America, as well as in Easy Rider, Skiing magazine, and Fortune magazine in Japan, among others.

With family roots in Taos, Chacon was born and raised in Colorado, residing here the last 16 years. "Working as one of the team members restoring the reredo (altar screen) at La Santisima Trinidad Church in Arroyo Seco was especially fulfilling for me," said Chacon. He also explained that working with youth on mural projects is very fulfilling.

 

Both Paponetti and Chacon were responsible for researching the history of times and events depicted in their timeline mural to ensure accuracy.

 

Paponetti was born and raised in New York. Her love of art began at the age of 3. In elementary school, she drew her classmates with amazing likenesses. She painted murals at elementary and secondary schools she attended. She graduated from the Paier College of Art and Albertus Magnus College in New Haven, Conn, with a bachelor of fine arts in art history.

Said Paponetti, "I find the historical traditions of the local cultures exciting. I like going a step further than what appears obvious, and caring about people and individuals is important to me. Understanding individual people, events, animals and traditions results in details that bring a story to life. Those viewing the paintings have said they feel as if they've gone back in time and are participants in the events."

 

With this in mind, Paponetti enlisted area locals as models for the scenes she depicted. The murals are about local culture, and honor the people who are the descendants of those being historically described.

Other credits include murals at the Taos Ski Valley Day Care Center, the cover of the 1994 New Mexico Bar Association Directory and a one‑woman show Paponetti did for the Bar Association's 1994 convention in Taos,

Her painting, "Tans Pueblo jingle Dancer," graces the cover of the 1998‑99 Names and Numbers Telephone Directory. Paponetti also paints with oils and acrylics on rawhide drums. Images of wildlife are prevalent in these works.

 

Paponetti's creativity continues growing while she helps promote a sense of pride in the heritage of traditions in this multicultural community.

 

Chacon and Paponetti's depictions on the Timeline wall tell and preserve the continuing story of Taos history for generations to came.

Refreshments will be served at the dedication, and in case of inclement weather activities will move into Town Hall. Following the mural dedication everyone is encouraged to attend the Taos Arts Festival exhibit openings at the Taos Civic Plaza Convention Center from 5‑7 p.m.