Italian artist Giuseppe Percivati is in Hot Springs this week doing a commissioned mural for the city. Giuseppe contracted me to create a video for his sponsor of the experience, and of course I'm shooting stills as well.

From the Rotary Club newsletter: Don Gooch, Mary Neilson, and Neal Harrington of the 100thAnniversary Project Team, were pleased to present their gift to Hot Springs commemorating our 100 years as the “downtown” Rotary Club.

Muralist Giuseppe Percivati is an international artist whose work can be viewed at www.pepegaka.com. His design idea was inspired by the history of Hot Springs:

In 1818 the Quapaw Indians CEDED the land around the hot springs to the United States in a treaty after being forced to a reservation south of the site. The mural is a celebration of the Quapaw tribe, a peaceful people, who, along with other tribes, always regarded the hot springs as an area of rest and peace. The tribes would put aside their weapons and benefit from the healing waters while in this valley.

The mural will be painted on the wall located down from the Exchange Parking Garage walkway which now shows rather faded GWG scenes. This wall was not our original location so the design will be modified to conform to the wall’s dimensions. There will be a poem placed in the center that is from the Quapaw Tribe. A plaque commemorating our 100th Anniversary will also be placed on the wall.

Pepe is a soft spoken, gentle spirit and it is a pleasure to work on this project with him. More pictures as they happen!

bgw