‘Dream Song Tower' pays tribute to South Side with Selena song lyric

Sculpture represents ‘culture, dreams, and aspiration' of South Side community

SAN ANTONIO – In his first-ever public art sculpture that can be seen by anyone traveling down Interstate 35 or Zarzamora Street, artist Cruz Ortiz pays tribute to his South Side community by way of a 60-foot tall “teepee”-shaped metal structure he’s called “Dream Song Tower.” 

Serving as what he called a welcoming gateway to the South San District, the metal sculpture incorporates a lyric from Selena’s “Dreaming of You” but with Ortiz’s own take, using his signature typography to spell out “Siempre Dreaming of You.” “Siempre” means always in Spanish.

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The Dream Song Tower also references some of San Antonio’s well-known history and urban myths such as the Donkey Lady and other traditions.

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Ortiz, who’s from Houston but moved to the Alamo City when he was in high school, has lived on South Side with his wife and five children since 2012. 

The inspiration and focus behind the public artwork was solely based on the location to represent the “culture, dreams, and aspiration of the South Side community,” he said.

“The images are based on Mexican-American folklore that families have been passing down to their children for generations that have populated their dreams. We are dreamers, too. This is a love letter to and from the Southside," Ortiz told KSAT.com.

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Ortiz’s Dream Song Tower also has kinetic components depicting flying birds and spinning stars that will move with the wind.

Debbie Racca-Sittre, director of San Antonio’s Department of Arts and Culture, said the project will not only serve as a gateway but will also bring in much-needed improvements to the area surrounding the sculpture.

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“The public art piece was funded through federal Community Development Block Grant Funds for catalytic projects aimed at the revitalization of urban neighborhoods, and Neighborhood Access Mobility Program Funds from the City for sidewalk improvements at the site,” Racca-Sittre told KSAT.com in a statement.

Racca-Sittre said Ortiz’s South Side artwork will celebrate the “spirit of the surrounding neighborhoods and instill pride for all San Antonians.”

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In a statement sent to KSAT.com, District 4 Councilman Rey Saldana said he’s been excited about the project and cannot wait to join Ortiz along with community early next year to officially “unveil and dedicate this great new San Antonio landmark and gateway to our Southside neighborhoods.”

EMAILagarcia@ksat.com


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