We the People: Summer Festivals of Orange County - - Award Winning, 1999

We the People: Summer Festivals of Orange County

John Valadez, 1999

John Valadez painted We the People: Summer Festivals of Orange County mural for the building’s pavilion as a portrait of Orange County that spans a century. Sweeping from the seacoast through orange groves and cities to the distant canyons and hills, the painting incorporates physical landmarks form past and present. The mural focuses on people and their creatiion of community. The original county courthouse is shown, representing the court’s important role in this civic process. For the mural’s central metaphor, Valadez chose summer festivals: the community celebrations of history, traditions, and a rich mix of cultures. The artist spent a year attending festivals throughout the county and researching its history, economy, and social development. Historical photographs inspired elements of the painting, including a number of portraits. For example, one seated group depicts the founders of the local historical society. Other individuals shown are present-day residents.

Valadez spent two additional years developing his sketches and painting the mural. He was assisted bu contributing artists Genaro “Jerry” Lopez, Francisco Siquerors, Howard Spezia, Sadie Valadez and Carlo Valadez, and installer Giles Guggemons, Inc. of St. Paul Minnesota.

Valadez said that he hopes viewers will see themselves in the mural and recognize how we are all linked together through the continuing and constant change of events to form a community.

The mural, painted in seven panels over two years, celebrates the diverse peoples of Orange County coming together in a parade that includes historical as well as contemporary figures. Before beginning the artist, John Valadez, spent a year attending festivals throughout the county. Some of the mural’s elements were inspired by historical photos, including one seated group that represents the founders of the local historical society.
The Architecture Foundation of Orange County recognized Artist John Valadez with the 1999 Art in Public Places Award.