A group of devoted artists and local business owners along with
the San Juan Bautista Chamber of Commerce are reveling in the
fruits of their labor.
A group of devoted artists and local business owners along with the San Juan Bautista Chamber of Commerce are reveling in the fruits of their labor.
“The saints of San Juan will be back on display this year,” said Terry Marburger, director of the San Juan Chamber of Commerce. “They look so beautiful.”
Eighteen years of wear and tear prevented the wooden icons from taking their usual places along the downtown area during the holiday season last year.
The cost to restore the saints was estimated at about $20,000, which the chamber did not have. But the community pulled together to fund the project.
Each icon represents one of California’s 22 missions. The saints have been a Christmas tradition along Third Street in San Juan for more than 30 years.
At one time there were 44 icons but one, representing Mission San Buenaventura, was stolen. It was replaced last year, then painted exactly like the original.
Marburger credited Irene and Henry Shultz, owners of San Juan Woodworks, and local artists Gayle Sleznick and Norman Scott who worked hours mixing and restoring each icon.
