In celebration of the opening of the new Downingtown Library artist Adrian Martinez and a group of students for Downingtown schools spent the weekend painting a mural in the renovated building.
DOWNINGTOWN — Renowned artist Adrian Martinez and a group of students for Downingtown schools spent a weekend painting a mural for the new borough library.
The dozen students were from East and West high schools and the Downingtown STEM Academy. Also some of the library board members and some younger children added some brush strokes, according to Martinez.
“The project was great for the young artists,” Martinez said. “I enjoyed working with them. Also, this is another indication that Downingtown is becoming the center for arts in Chester County. The Downingtown Main Street Association, I’m president, has been promoting Downingtown as such.”
A sketch done by Martinez was presented to the library board and approved. The finished mural is approximately 8 feet by 25 feet. On the left side are two knights in battle while the center panel features a standing female muse and on the right are two funny dogs and a cat. “The different panels depict action, drama and adventure in one panel, mystery, creativity, poetry and literature in another panel and comedy in the third panel,” Martinez said.
Martinez is an internationally known artist who has had a number of shows throughout the region. His work has been exhibited at the White House and at Camp David. He completed two paintings for the Bush White House, the 2001 Christmas card and an 8-foot by 16-foot mural, and a number of drawings for Camp David.
In 2007 Martinez was asked by First Lady Laura Bush to create two murals of the country’s national parks for the 2007 holiday season. His paintings of the Grand Canyon in Arizona and Zion Park in Utah were displayed in the main hallway of the first floor of the White House.
Martinez received a B.F.A./Painting from Maryland Institute College of Art, a Certificate of Studies in Fine Arts/Painting from St. Martins School of Art in London, and a M.A. in Fine Arts/Painting from Purdue University. He was an exhibit designer and instructor at the Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth, Texas, before moving to Downingtown.
His work can be seen at www.adrianmartinez.com.
