MySA
Priscilla Aguirre
Treviño is the artist behind art installations and murals that have become a huge part of San Antonio's identity. He is most known for the iconic "La Veladora of Our Lady of Guadalupe" mosaic on the Westside at the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center. He's also well-known for the nine-story mosaic mural "The
Spirit of Healing" on the side of Christus Santa Rosa Children's Hospital.
You can also find his work in Chapa Lion Mural on the old Chapa drugstore and "Little Laredo" on the side of Casa Navarro.
When the news of his passing was announced, many locals shared their reactions on Twitter. Nirenberg called Treviño an "American hero," adding that "the wounds of the Vietnam War, which took so many of his friends and neighbors from the Westside of San Antonio, never left him, but he used those scars to bring healing to millions of people."
Jesse Treviño was an American hero. The wounds of the Vietnam war, which took so many of his friends and neighbors from the Westside of San Antonio, never left him, but he used those scars to bring healing to millions of people. pic.twitter.com/XFHuy6vspg
— Mayor Ron Nirenberg (@Ron_Nirenberg) February 14, 2023
San Antonio Congressman Joaquin Castro tweeted, "I’m saddened to hear of Jesse Treviño's passing. He was a beloved artist from San Antonio's Westside who used his talent to create signature pieces of art that have undoubtedly become embedded in our city's culture. He will be deeply missed, and his family is in my prayers."
"Jesse Treviño's art has displayed the unique cultural richness of our beloved, San Antonio. May he rest in peace," District 5 Councilwoman Teri Castillo tweeted.
Texas State Senator (District 26) José Menéndez praised Treviño for being an "amazing artist" who San Antonio was fortunate to have. He wrote, "He adorned our city with iconic art pieces that capture our community & have become part of our city's history."
Scroll below for more reactions:
Jesse revealed the beauty in our everyday lives, our struggles.
— Diego Bernal (@DiegoBernalTX) February 14, 2023
He held up a mirror and wouldn’t let us look away until we saw what he did: dignity, grace, and our common humanity.
Jesse Treviño, 'Lady of Guadalupe' mosaic artist, dies at 76 https://t.co/rRg5SwnEM2
Jesse Trevino was a giant in the San Antonio art scene. You don't typically think of artists as heroic, but his life story and work were truly inspirational. https://t.co/hVMumieh26
— Joe Alexander (@JoeAlexander210) February 14, 2023
So sad that Jesse Trevino, legendary artist & a man I was honored to call friend, passed away today.
— Randy Beamer (@randybeamer) February 14, 2023
Jesse, you were one of a kind & are already missed.#RIP
I'll have a special segment on Jesse Thursday at 7pm on @klrn On the Record and a longer show next week.
More on my fb. pic.twitter.com/MGsKkCQDiv
San Antonio lost a giant of the arts today. Jesse Treviño’s creativity brought our community and culture to life and left our city with iconic masterworks of public art. https://t.co/XkDXMGljdj
— Melissa Cabello Havrda (@CWCabelloHavrda) February 14, 2023
Jesse Treviño may have been my first real interview, for a middle school history project about him. He invited a buddy and me into his home, showed us around his studio and made us feel smart. Such a kind man with an incredible story. RIP to a true legend. https://t.co/pT6Rynv7fk
— Julian Gill (@JulianGi11) February 13, 2023
A most favorite son of San Antonio, Jesse Treviño, has left this earth. Jesse was a visionary who created many of San Antonio’s most iconic art pieces now deeply woven in to our city’s rich Mexican-American cultural landscape. FLY HIGH, Jesse — your work lives on! QEPD.✊🏽🫀 pic.twitter.com/eLxfOd5Azf
— Kathleen Vale (@SanAntoGuera) February 13, 2023
RIP Jesse Treviño, one of San Antonio’s greatest painters. He came and spoke to my class when I was in elementary school and he is one of the main reasons I am an artist. If you aren’t familiar with him or his story, look him up. pic.twitter.com/dynwYU00uG
— Paul Heaston (@paulheaston) February 14, 2023