ZAJEDNICA
Croatian Community Mural
Artists
Sts. Peter and Paul Church and Friends. Richard Harrison. Rebecca Harrison. Quintin Slovek. Maggie Heusinkvelt. Gary Kastrick.
2017
20’x60’
Bere’s Hall
3616 W St, Omaha, NE 68107
In 1917 Blaz Cupic and his neighbors in Goose Hollow raised enough one dollar donations to build Sts. Peter and Paul Church. Father Zapotnic, the first priest of this parish writes a customary blessing in chalk above the central arch of the mural, Mary is crowned the queen, the community roasts a lamb, and listens to a Taburica ensemble. The mosaic style of the mural evokes the art of a local tile setter and the Byzantine mosaics of Croatia. In 2017, the church’s centennial anniversary ended in the christening of this mural.
Artists used small sponges of different shapes to create a mosaic effect. This method was especially fun on community paint day. A little girl happened to be having her birthday party at Bere's Hall during the event. She and her friends got a fun birthday surprise!
PARTNERS
Nebraska Arts Council
South Omaha Historical Fund
South Omaha Business Association