Entitled, “Generations” Deery’s project has grown figuratively and literally to inspire and connect Santa Feans and beautify an ignored entrance into the city. Now 130 feet long and 6 feet high, the nearly finished mural shows a rising sun over the Sangre de Cristos, a bird-filled blue sky, and a groundscape filled with thoughts, humor, and quotes. It delights dog walkers, runners, cyclists, and commuter and tourist passengers on the Rail Runner Express and SkyRailway. And, as she had hoped, the mural encompasses the wisdom of elders, the joy of children, and the creativity and effort of over 1,000 volunteers who have laid a piece of tile or glass, created a clay quote or figure, helped grout and polish ties, set up the shade tent, offered donated materials or checks, or who have simply stopped by to admire the mural.
”I sat by your mural and read all these quotes, and I cried,” one visitor said recently.
Deery got the wall content underway by holding pop-up mandala-making tables around the city, at Santa Fe Art Walk and Vital Spaces, at a Santa Fe Brewing Company concert, a Southside Mercado morning, and at city schools such as Gonzalez Community School, Aspen Community School and El Camino Real Academy. The clay tablets embedded in the wall came later, offering quotes in English, Spanish, and Navajo by F. Scott Momaday, Alice Walker, and an anonymous schoolchild who wrote “Protect our beautiful land.” Clay birds soar over silver Milagros, saint medals, bicycle chainrings, and pieces of jewelry that glint in the morning sun.
“Everyone comes with a different perspective,” Deery said. When it is quiet, local unhoused people stop by, thank Deery for making the area prettier, and sometimes stay for hours to help and quietly tell her their story.
Deery has received no grants to do this project; it has been maintained solely by private donations and her own funds. She uses primarily recycled materials and has worked three days a week, through the hottest summer days and cold mornings.Deery's vision and efforts to bring community art to a forgotten location in this City of Art are multi-faceted: to brighten the scenery for train commuters and tourists; to give opportunity to residents who may have never expressed themselves through art; and to build a community of creativity, beauty, and hope.
Written by Ann Senuta, Summer 2024