Confluence of Civilizations (Merida)

Artist: Carlos Merida
Details: murals (any medium), tile, glass
Date completed: 1967

As the Henry B. González Convention Center expands toward the east, the obsolete portion of the west wing will be demolished to make room for a new civic park (corner S. Alamo & Market).

As a part of the expansion, the HemisFair ’68-era glass tile mosaic mural by Carlos Merida is being adapted for outdoor viewing. It will face the Juan O’Gorman mosaic on the façade of Lila Cockrell Theatre.

A third HemisFair ’68-era mural painting by Fred Samuelson was conserved and relocated to the convention center’s Bridge Hall that spans the River Walk. The three “Confluence” murals are being united for the first time and all three murals will be visible from the Bridge Hall.

The 1440 square-foot mosaic by Merida will be protected by a balcony structure above it at concourse level featuring lighting that will illuminate the artwork at night.