For six local artists, the task of rendering the area’s historic
architecture for an upcoming downtown walking tour brochure became
an opportunity to re-tell the narratives
– visually and artfully – of Hollister’s storied buildings.
The group recently submitted final proofs for the Hollister
Downtown Association’s walking tour, which is expected to be
finished by late June, according to HDA Director Liz Kresky.
For six local artists, the task of rendering the area’s historic architecture for an upcoming downtown walking tour brochure became an opportunity to re-tell the narratives – visually and artfully – of Hollister’s storied buildings.
The group recently submitted final proofs for the Hollister Downtown Association’s walking tour, which is expected to be finished by late June, according to HDA Director Liz Kresky.
The new brochure for the stroll past residential and commercial buildings throughout the downtown area will guide participants on a path of history with written narratives and pictures of each site. It will include 17 to 20 renderings from the artists, which includes a couple of architects. The remaining buildings on the tour will be represented by a historic photograph.
Twenty residential and 15 commercial buildings will be featured on the tour.
“We have a really nice historic downtown, said Anita Kane, who submitted two renderings. “This is a really good start to getting people aware of it.”
Kane also sits on the Board of Directors of the San Benito County Historical Society.
The HDA’s plan of using artists’ work adds an element that photographs cannot provide, according to many of the artists.
“When you draw a building, you have a certain artistic latitude to accentuate strong points and visual strengths,” said architect David Huboi, who rendered six buildings. “In a photo, it’s pretty objective.”
Shannon Grissom, who painted two buildings, said a painting of a building isn’t necessarily more artistic than a photograph of one. “It’s just different,” she said.
Previously, there have been other walking tours to highlight the city’s architecture, but those are now out-dated, according to Kresky, and the new walking tour will include commercial structures for the first time.
Artist and long-time resident Pat Zuniga had previously painted several older homes in Hollister. For Zuniga, becoming involved with the walking tour project, and the feeling of community pride it provokes, was an easy decision.
“When you drive by these homes, you just wish you could go inside and see what they’re like,” she said.
Huboi, who regularly takes his sketch pad when he travels to draw old buildings in other areas of the country, said the walking tour will enhance public awareness of Hollister’s diversity in styles of historical architecture.
He expressed appreciation for that range of differences that includes craftsmen, Victorian, prairie view, neo-classical, Italian renaissance, mission revival and Queen Anne.
“Some of these buildings, they develop a soul,” he said. “There is an intangible aspect of an old building.”
The buildings on the tour are not the only aspect of the project revealing a diversity of styles. Based on the renderings Kresky has received, each artist has provided a unique tone to the brochure, she said.
“Some are more detailed. Some had more sketches. And some are more abstract,” she said.
Grissom, who rendered two homes for the brochure, pointed out one commonality that exists among the artists.
“Everyone who has done this, they’ve done it from their heart,” Grissom said.
Several of the artists, Grissom included, said community pride played a significant role in their participation.
There is another purpose to the tour, aside from community pride and spreading awareness about historical Hollister, according to Kresky.
“We want to get foot-traffic downtown,” she said.
Sharlene Van Rooy from the San Benito County Historical Society, who is helping to organize the brochure for the HDA, has brought her knowledge and research of local buildings to the project. She and Kresky plan to walk the tour next week to estimate its duration, according to Kresky.
When completed, the brochure should complement other recently spearheaded programs striving to increase awareness of architectural history and preservation in Hollister. The HDA is working on a project with the county Chamber of Commerce and Historical Society to place commemorative plaques outside of numerous historic buildings. The plaque program serves to recognize specific owners for upkeep and also offer an educational opportunity for residents.
Additionally, the Historical Society has supported a proposal for a preservation committee, an idea still in beginning stages. Several communities in the Central Coast region currently have such committees, including San Juan Bautista.
In the county, 516 historic sites are currently registered with the state, according to the California Office of Historic Preservation.
Other regional cities also have historical walking tours, including SJB and Gilroy.
“We get so busy, sometimes we lose track of that (heritage),” said Kathy Sheridan, who rendered two buildings. “This is a wonderful way to kind of bring that back home.”
