Gonzales is a town that embraces the arts and celebrates its unique cultural heritage. Our town’s rich history also plays a significant role in shaping our cultural identity, with events like the Come and Take It Festival and the Gonzales Pioneer Village showcasing the town’s legacy as the birthplace of Texas independence. Come and explore the vibrant arts scene in Gonzales and experience the rich cultural tapestry that makes our town truly special.
Babe of the Alamo Mural
1
Susanna Wilkerson Dickinson and her infant daughter, Angelina, were among the few American survivors of 1836 Battle of the Alamo during the Texas Revolution. Her husband, Almaron Dickinson, and 185 other Texian defenders were killed by the Mexican Army.
2
By early 1836 the family had moved to San Antonio. On February 23, as the forces of Gen. Antonio López de Santa Anna entered the city, Dickinson reportedly caught up his wife and daughter behind his saddle and galloped to the Alamo, just before the enemy started firing.
3
In the Alamo, legend says William B. Travis tied his cat’s-eye ring around Angelina’s neck. Angelina and Susanna survived the final Mexican assault on March 6, 1836.
4
Though Santa Anna wanted to adopt Angelina, her mother refused. A few days after the battle, mother and child were released as messengers to Gen. Sam Houston.
5
At the end of the revolution, Angelina and her mother moved to Houston. For their participation in the defense of the Alamo, they received a donation certificate for 640 acres of land in 1839 and a bounty warrant for 1,920 acres of land in Clay County in 1855.
Downtown Gonzales is a hustle-bustle little district. Every storefront has a history or a tale or two. But the most notable tenants of downtown Gonzales are newly immortalized by way of a mural – an artist’s interpretation of a larger-than-life Susanna Dickinson and her baby girl Angelina Elizabeth, “The Babe of The Alamo”, as they fled the destruction of The Alamo to make an arduous journey back to Gonzales with dreadful news.
The mural was painted, in five days, by Austin artist Mez Data, whose works can be seen across Austin on a cross section of billboards and brick walls as well in some more prominent and affluent locations, such as the Luxurious Hotel Van Zandt, where he has painted murals in the public lobbies of the hotel, on three levels, which include Stevie Ray Vaughan, Willie Nelson and Lyle Lovette.
The Josephine Peck Building stands on the northwest corner of St. Joseph and St. George streets. The building, owned by Larry and Johnnie Edwards, has been a dry goods and general store, as well as a pharmacy. Now, after a major facelift, storefront will soon be home to a busy nail salon.
Read more about this mural’s development by Kathryn Penrose on the Gonzales Inquirer website.
Mez Data, the artist, said he learned a lot about Texas History in his research about Gonzales and Dickinson and feels that the final product can be interpreted by anyone who views it – whether the spectator knows the heroism of Dickinson or not – as maternal and protective.
Young Texian Performances, Crystal Theatre
The Crystal Theatre’s Young Program is the only one of its kind in Texas, and perhaps the nation. Today, the Young Program is dedicated to providing arts-in-education opportunities for young people from all backgrounds. It now includes the year-round Shakespeare Ninja Project in conjunction with the University of Texas Shakespeare at Winedale Outreach Program, the Crystal summer youth workshop (now in it’s 27th year), and the performance of original Texas history ballads written for their Young Texians Troupe.
Come and Take It Dance
Led by the talented coach and choreographer, Gary Franco, this group of dancers offers a range of performances throughout the year, from classic to contemporary styles. Come and be entertained by their dynamic shows that showcase the best of the local dance scene. Keep an eye out for their upcoming performances!
Gary Franco has coached and choreographed world champions in theater arts. He has danced with the Boston Ballet, American Folk Ballet and Los Angeles Classical Ballet and as a guest artist with multiple ballet companies.
Purple Cactus Potteri
Purple Cactus Potteri is a one-of-a-kind retail store located in Gonzales. Our shop features a unique experience that allows you to express your creativity and create a one-of-a-kind piece of pottery with our self-guided painting sessions. Choose from a variety of everyday and seasonal pottery pieces and unleash your inner artist. In addition to painting classes, we offer a wide selection of gifts, candies, and more to satisfy your sweet tooth or to find the perfect souvenir. Our store also offers group painting sessions on canvas, making it the perfect activity for your next family outing or group event. The owner is dedicated to making your experience unforgettable and will work with you to plan special events.
