Murals depicting Selena, other San Antonio icons painted over by new building owner

Large-scale murals of three iconic U.S. Latino figures adorning the now-closed Estela’s Mexican Restaurant on the city’s West Side have been erased by the building’s new owner, Delgado Funeral Home, sparking concern about the care of historic assets with the onset of new development. The artworks depicted Congressman Henry B. Gonzalez, which the late lawmaker signed; Tejano star Selena Quintanilla; and Grammy Award-winning musician Flaco Jimenez. Robert Salcido, president of the LGBTQ LULAC Council “Orgullo de San Antonio,” had reached out to owners to discuss the future of the artworks. But the murals already had been painted over before a potential solution could be discussed. less Large-scale murals of three iconic U.S. Latino figures adorning the now-closed Estela’s Mexican Restaurant on the city’s West Side have been erased by the building’s new owner, Delgado Funeral Home, ... more Photo: Courtesy Louis Escareno, Courtesy Louis Escareno Photo: Courtesy Louis Escareno, Courtesy Louis Escareno Image 1 of / 183 Caption Close Murals depicting Selena, other San Antonio icons painted over by new building owner 1 / 183 Back to Gallery

Large-scale murals of three iconic U.S. Latino figures adorning interior walls of the now-closed Estela's Mexican Restaurant on the West Side have been erased by the building's new owner, Delgado Funeral Home, sparking concern about the fate of historic assets amid new development.

The artworks depicted U.S. Rep. Henry B. Gonzalez, which the late lawmaker signed; Tejano star Selena Quintanilla; and Grammy Award-winning musician Flaco Jimenez.

Robert Salcido, president of the LGBTQ LULAC Council "Orgullo de San Antonio," had reached out to owners to discuss the future of the murals, but they were painted over before a potential solution could be discussed.

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The letter was sent Feb. 17 and was copied to Mayor Ron Nirenberg, City Council members Shirley Gonzales of District 5 and Roberto Treviño of District 1, as well as the Westside Development Corp. and the Esperanza Peace & Justice Center.

Estela's restaurant, at 2200 W. Martin St., had served as a de facto neighborhood center, where many Mexican American and Democratic Party groups held meetings and celebrations.

"We acknowledge that these works are now your property to do with as you please," Salcido's letter to Delgado said. "We are writing you respectfully, however, in the hope that these important works of art will not be destroyed. While ... not necessarily appropriate for the décor of a funeral home ... we are hoping you will meet with us to explore ideas for their preservation and for their possible display in a new venue."

"The mural of Henry B. is especially important historically," the letter added.

Funeral home manager Amber Delgado acknowledged receiving the letter via email and said she responded quickly, but the letter arrived "after the paintings were already painted on."

She said the funeral home is moving quickly on remodeling because it must be out of its current Mitchell Street location by May.

Delgado said she and the owner were unaware of the artworks' significance. The business had requested rezoning for the property, and no neighborhood opposition surfaced, she said.

Still, Delgado said, she attempted to call Salcido at the number listed in the LULAC letter, but reached a wrong number. Salcido acknowledged his number was listed incorrectly.

"As more and more new developments happen in historic neighborhoods, this is going to continue to happen," Salcido said. "As a community, we have to talk about what can we do to protect these iconic places important to our community and to San Antonio."

The funeral home had "no ill intent," Salcido said. "But they didn't take enough time to see the pieces they were destroying."

"It's the same problem that happened at Burbank," he said, referring to a mural painted over by Burbank High School in 2010 — after the artist's signature could not be found, administrators said at the time. The mural had been done by renowned painter Vincent Valdez, a graduate of the school.

"It has happened many other times," Salcido said.

Elaine Ayala is a San Antonio Express-News staff writer. Read more of her stories here. | eayala@express-news.net | @ElaineAyala