Historic Mission artwork to be restored

By: TOM MORROW - Staff Writer

Thanks to the El Camino Real Chapter of Questers, the first of the Mission San Luis Rey's two large, 7-by-10-foot oil paintings hanging in the historic chapel will be removed at 1 p.m. today for restoration.

I told you some time ago about the El Camino Questers' mammoth project to restore the two priceless Mission oil paintings, and today the process begins.

The Questers, a local historical preservation chapter, has received a number of donations from the public, as well as raised money through a variety of fund-raisers, plus received a $5,000 grant from the California State Questers, its maximum amount for a preservation and restoration project.

Removing the first painting for restoration is the Balboa Art Conservation Center of San Diego, which will be doing the work. In 2001, the El Camino Real Questers authorized and paid for a proposal from Balboa Art to restore the pair of paintings, "The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary," and "The Resurrection of Christ," by French artist Louis Trousset, (circa. 1878), which hang in the Mission Chapel. Without treatment, the paintings would eventually be destroyed by their many years of exposure to light and air pollution. Cost estimate ranges from $17,000 to $19,000 for each work of art.

"Once 'The Assumption' painting has been restored and rehung, Balboa will begin work on 'The Resurrection,'" says Virginia Brophy, president of the El Camino Real Questers.

The paintings have become quite a tourist attraction as more than 40,000 visitors from around the world stop by the historic Mission chapel each year.

MUSICA, OLE' ---- The Oceanside Parks & Recreation Department and the American G.I. Forum will cosponsor a Mariachi concert and dinner scholarship fund-raiser from 6 to 9 p.m. on Feb. 12 at the Oceanside Senior Center. The evening will benefit El Camino and Oceanside high school AVID students. AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) is an in-school academic support program preparing students for college eligibility. The American G.I Forum has partnered with AVID teachers at both high schools to see that four to five scholarships are awarded each year. Providing the evening's entertainment will be a Mariachi band from Chula Vista High School. The traditional Mariachi music has its origins in the Mexican state of Jalisco. Cost will be $15 for admission only; $25 for admission and dinner. The Forum has a goal of raising $2,000 for the evening. For information, call (760) 435-5041, or browse on the Internet at: www.ci.oceanside.ca.us.

DATE SAVER ---- Visual and performing artists and vendors take note: The 13th annual Oceanside Days of Art will be held April 16-17 in downtown Oceanside around the Civic Center Mall. Application deadline is March 25. Call (760) 433-3632 for information and application.

Notes for Tom Morrow can be e-mailed to tmorrow@nctimes.com, faxed to (760) 757-2072, or call (760) 901-4074. Find his previous columns on the Internet at www.nctimes.com.