New Location: The Betty Kelso Center at the San Antonio Botanical Garden.

One hundred years ago, Dr. Aureliano Urrutia, a prominent physician who came to San Antonio during the Mexican Revolution, began creating his garden, Miraflores, near the headwaters of the San Antonio River. Over the next several decades he fashioned a landscape of winding paths, fountains and pools, sculpture and plants.

Today the gates are locked, and the land is fragile. Behind the wrought iron fence and beautiful gate of colorful ceramic tile murals, the remaining objects—tile benches in ruins, a full-size replica of the Winged Victory, a small cottage in disrepair, a bronze statue in a round pool, and curious faux bois sculptures—merely hint at Urrutia’s original expression.

This symposium examines the multi-layered character of Miraflores and its status in 21st-century San Antonio. Lectures on the garden's historical, cultural, and archeological significance, its place in Urrutia family history, and its meanings in landscape architecture will be followed by a panel discussion that considers possible futures for the site.

Saturday, September 18, 2021

CHANGE OF TIME: 8:30 a.m. to Noon

CHANGE OF VENUE: San Antonio Botanic Garden, the Betty Kelso Center

REGISTER HERE

Registration Assistance Program

Speakers:

John Phillip Santos, University Distinguished Scholar in Mestizo Cultural Studies to the Honors College, University of Texas at San Antonio

Anne Elise Urrutia, author of Miraflores: San Antonio's Mexican Garden of Memory

Jennifer Mathews, Ph.D., Professor of Anthropology, and Chair of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Trinity University

John Troy, FASLA, Landscape Architect

Panelists:

Donna Guerra, Director of Archives, Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word; member, Westside Preservation Alliance

Lynn Bobbitt, Executive Director, Brackenridge Park Conservancy

Bill Pennell, Assistant Manager, Park Planning, Parks & Recreation Department, City of San Antonio

Moderator:

Kathryn O’Rourke, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Art and Art History, Trinity University

There will be a question and answer session.

Hosted by the San Antonio Botanical Garden, the Department of Art and Art History of Trinity University and Trinity University Press.

For more information, contact us.

Photograph © Anne Elise Urrutia, 2017.

Published July 10, 2021.