ST. BARTHOLOMEU CHURCH, RINCON, CA

In 2007, a raging firestorm destroyed the St. Bartholomeu Church, a historical Roman Catholic chapel located on the Rincon Indian Reservation. Since then the Rincon band has worked diligently to rebuilt it, creating a new home for a congregation that dates to the 19th century.

In 2012, Robert Freeman was commissioned  to complete 2 installations for the newly renovated church. Two large images depicting Lady Guadalupe and  Kateri Tekakwitha (the first Native American Saint), now line the walls of the historical catholic church that has risen from the ashes.

5500 Mazzetti Lane, 
Valley Center, CA 92082

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THE SAN GABRIEL LIBRARY
 LOS ANGELES, CA

In 1982, the Friends of the San Gabriel Library decided that the large blank wall over the children’s section would be the perfect spot for a mural illustrating San Gabriel’s early history.  Funds were raised through book sales and community donations and artist Robert Freeman was soon commissioned to create and paint the mural. 

500 S Del Mar Ave‎
San Gabriel, CA 91776

When the artwork was completed it measured 7 ½’ h x 45’ w and depicted life at the Mission San Gabriel Arcángel in the late eighteenth century. The mural shows scenes from the Mission’s daily life – women grind corn, a vaquero rounds up cattle, and a padre helps Gabrielinos build a stone wall.  On the far left, grapes signify the wine which was produced at the Mission, and on the far right a wickiup, a type of Gabrielino grass house, is depicted.  The soft earth tones in the acrylic mural are intended to create a restful and pastoral atmosphere.