San Antonio Welcomes Back CowParade with Open Arms!
San Antonio residents, get ready for a udderly exciting event! The famous CowParade, an international public art project showcasing beautifully painted fiberglass cows, is making a grand return to the Alamo City in 2025. After a staggering 22 years since it last trotted through town, this event promises to bring a fresh wave of artistic joy and community spirit.
A Dream Realized
Allison Gregory, the lead artist for CowParade San Antonio, has worked tirelessly over the past six years to convince the organizers to bring this celebrated event back to San Antonio. “Mission accomplished!” Gregory exclaimed, sharing her enthusiasm at the unveiling party for her lead cow, “Good MOOd”, at the AnArte Gallery on October 18. “San Antonio is such a vibrant city for the arts. It’s important we participate in this globally recognized event.”
At this exciting launch, Gregory’s cow stood out with its eye-catching beads and glossy finish, setting the tone for the rest of the herd that will fill the city streets with color and creativity next summer.
The Herd is Growing
About 35 talented local artists will join Gregory in this artsy stampede, each one bringing their unique flair to their very own cow. The collaborative art initiative will culminate in an auction, with proceeds benefiting the Christus Children’s Foundation. Theo Meyer, from the Foundation, expressed his excitement: “What a creative way to engage our community and celebrate public art while raising awareness for our cause.”
In fact, Christus has its own history with CowParade, featuring a cow created by pediatric patients covered in handprints that still stands today. Meyer passes by it daily, calling it a “bright and beautiful piece of art.”
Exciting Contributions from Local Artists
Among the exciting artists is the energetic duo, Raisa Melendez and Marco Vargas, known for their vibrant murals. Both have secured cows to decorate, with Vargas planning to adorn his with his signature masks featuring Aztec and Mayan imagery. Melendez, on the other hand, is grappling with two designs—one honors the traditional aprons worn by many grandmothers, while the other showcases a flying cowboy. Talk about a tough choice!
Another rising star in the mix is Lindy Perez, an abstract artist and calligrapher. Her cow will feature a garden theme and include welcoming Texan words such as “howdy” and “hello”. “This is my first large-scale piece,” she said, bursting with excitement. “I submitted on a whim. I can’t believe I made it!”
Young Talent Joins the Fun
Adding to the joy of CowParade is the participation of two young artists, 13-year-olds Emely Mejia and Genevive Fernandez. Under the guidance of their art teacher, Mario Garcia, they were given a calf to transform. Drawing inspiration from the Mayan calendar, the project has become a thrilling journey for them. “It’s been a journey, but I like it,” Genevive shared cheerfully.
A Shared Journey of Inspiration
Allison Gregory remains a guiding light for these budding artists. With past success in creating four cows that raised $250,000 for a children’s hospital, she understands the impact of this project. Her design for “Good MOOd” centers around themes of hope, peace, and happiness, aiming to raise significant funds for the foundation.
As preparations ramp up for CowParade San Antonio, excitement buzzes in the air. The community is eager to witness a spectacular display of creativity, culture, and charity come together in a way that only San Antonio can. So mark your calendars and prepare to moo-ve along as these incredible cows bring smiles and artistic flair to the streets in 2025!
