Brushes With Greatness : Mexican Muralist and Bowers Supporters Meet Over a Wall

The event: A reception for renowned Mexican muralist Raul Anguiano, held Thursday at the Bowers Museum of Cultural Art in Santa Ana. Anguiano put the first brush strokes on a mural that will become a permanent addition to the Bowers’ collection and the first example of the artist’s work in the United States.

Painting for posterity: More than 200 guests witnessed art history in the making when they gathered to watch Anguiano begin the 180-inch-by-100-inch mural.

“I like the idea of calling this a multiethnic mural,” Anguiano said, displaying a sketch of the piece, which features classic art from Greece, Mexico, Costa Rica, Africa and other cultures. “It represents the community in this area.”

The 83-year-old painter used an extra-long brush to outline two of the mural’s figures. “He’s been most anxious to start,” said Lynda Eckerman, the artist’s stepdaughter, who lives in Foothill Ranch. Anguiano has pledged to work on the mural daily until it’s completion in mid-February. It is in the Leo Freedman Foundation Galleria.

Putting it in perspective: Anguiano, who in Mexico is considered a living treasure, is a contemporary of artists Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera. His works can be found around the world, from the Vatican to Mexico City’s Museo de Antropologia.

Adding Anguiano’s mural to the museum collection is a coup attributable in part to Kathleen Barrutia, a member of the museum’s Collectors Council. It was her friendship with the artist that led to the partnership. “Raul is one of the outstanding Mexican painters. He’s been painting for 70 years, and he’s known all of the greats,” Barrutia said.

Quote: “To have [Anguiano] as a permanent part of the museum is just extraordinary. . . . [The mural] will reflect all of the collections and multiculturalism we represent at the Bowers,” said Peter Keller, museum president.

For art’s sake: The Collectors Council of the Bowers, which is presenting the mural as a gift to the museum, has established a fund for the work but will not disclose its cost. The 150 council members support and collect, ethnic art, sponsoring lectures and group travel to view works around the world. Membership is $100 a year.

Faces: Jose Angel Pescador Osuna, consul general of Mexico, who flew in for the reception to praise the artist; Brigita Anguiano, the artist’s wife; Gregorio Luke, an expert in Latin American art who spoke about the muralism movement; Al Ricca and David Adams of Pearl Art in Huntington Beach, who donated the time and labor to build the massive frames and stretch the canvas; Frank and Joe Gutierrez; Mary Ann Lockhart; Richard Barrutia; Mark Gumbiner; Ramona Swerdloff; and Tamara Hoffman.

What’s ahead: Museum visitors can see Anguiano in action; the artist is expected to work on his mural about from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. After its completion, Anguiano will dedicate the mural to the people of Southern California. (714) 567-3600.