Tucson mural: Giant guitar player replaces jackalope-riding Bill Walton downtown

Tens of thousands of people have seen the mural of NBA legend Bill Walton riding a mythical jackalope painted on the side of downtown’s Rialto Theatre.

In January, artist Ignacio Garcia painted over his 2016 “Jack and Bill” mural.

On Saturday, Feb. 10, the Rialto at 318 E. Congress St. will celebrate the official unveiling of Garcia’s new mural, “La Guitarrista,” inspired by 17th century Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer’s “The Guitar Player.” Garcia will be on hand for a reception at 3 p.m. in the Rialto’s adjacent R Bar, 350 E. Congress St.

Garcia said he had been wanting to paint over “Jack and Bill” for some time.

“It didn’t fit as ‘downtown’ as I thought it should as time went by,” he said in mid-January as he was working on the new 45-foot by 45-foot mural. “To me, this was the right thing to do.”

Tucson mural: Giant guitar player replaces jackalope-riding Bill Walton downtown — Garcia works on “La Guitarista,” last month. It joins two of his other downtown-area murals that have a similar style, “Empowered Woman” and La Calavera Catrina.”
Mamta Popat, Arizona Daily Star

Garcia said he was worried that he would get social media backlash as news spread that he was removing the iconic mural. Rialto Theatre Executive Director Cathy Rivers said she and the Rialto board also were a little nervous that some people would be unhappy with the move.

“Making such a big change in a town that people love, we had quite a few discussions,” she said.

But Garcia said he received very little negative feedback, and Rivers said she and the Rialto board were blown away by Garcia’s new mural.

“I really believe that it’s important that art changes in our community and is constantly evolving,” she said.

Earlier this week, with the smell of paint still fresh, some passersby near the Rialto stopped to take a look at the vibrant colors and image of the woman playing a guitar.

“I liked (the jackalope); it was really cool. But I think I like this one a lot better,” said Tucsonan Sara Vasquez.

“It’s beautiful. It speaks to Arizona, to the Latino influence, and it is a celebration of femininity,” John Camper said. “When you bring in art, you bring in the culture and it raises the vibration.”

Garcia’s art has been gracing Tucson walls for more than 20 years and is among hundreds of murals by dozens of prominent Tucson artists spread throughout Tucson.

“La Guitarrista” follows Garcia’s Papa Ranger mural at the months-old pickleball-centric restaurant Corbett’s, 340 N. Sixth Ave. He also painted “The Retro Wildcat” near the University of Arizona and the “Watermelon Waterfall” on West Fort Lowell Road.

Garcia said his goal for the new mural was that it be current and timeless.

“The jackalope was more whimsical, kind of family friendly. But the new one is more traditional,” he explained. “I’m trying to go traditional because Tucson is an old pueblo, it has a lot of history. It’s very important for me to express that in a way that’s a bit current and timeless.”

“La Guitarrista” also marks a shift in Garcia’s artistic identity.

“I love everything, from street art elements to contemporary pieces, but I realized that traditional art is timeless,” he said. “I love this new way of expressing myself, and hopefully the next two years are going to be more of these romantic scenes and traditional elements.”

Garcia is giving away free posters of “Jack and Bill” at the Tucson Gallery, 300 E. Congress St.

“It’s a way to kind of give back, and say thank you to the people that really supported me in that,” he said.

He said his next project will be to paint over the “Tranquil Woman” on North Fourth Avenue.