By Vanessa Sanchez
The medal, unveiled during a press conference April 3 at Main Campus Building, is the University’s third Fiesta medal.
Reddish said by telephone April 2 that the “Picasso, Amigos y Contemporaneos” exhibit inspired the medal’s design.
The sixty-day exhibit housed at Main Campus is free to the public through May 20. Read related story.
Reddish said university communications wanted to keep with the Spanish theme as they collaborated on the design.
“We went with the Spanish fan to represent the Spanish culture,” Reddish said. University Communications, the University’s public relations department, also agreed on the fan because they felt it is a great design, she added.
The Medal:
The medal’s top portion, or headerbar, is the A&M-San Antonio logo. From the headerbar extends a silver ribbon. The lower portion of the medal is a red, fully expanded Spanish-style fan with the phrase “Fiesta 2012” arching toward a yellow rose, which also appears on the University seal.
Reddish said the University continues to design and create Fiesta medals because they want to celebrate San Antonio traditions.
Fiesta Store manager Tina Flatten said anyone can create a medal, but not everyone can sell it at The Fiesta Store.
The University, under a non-profit category, paid a $300 membership fee to sell the medals in the store with the intention to be a PMO, or participating member organization, Flatten said.
Reddish said the University saw an opportunity this week to hold a press conference to promote the Fiesta medal and the University’s Picasso exhibit together.
On Tuesday, two VIA Metropolitan Transit buses pulled into the University’s entrance adorned with an advertisement for “Picasso, Amigos y Contemporaneos.” The advertisement was donated by Clear Channel Communications.
The buses are not designated to specific routes and may be found en route throughout the city.
Reddish said university communications launched a Facebook contest targeted to students, but faculty and staff are welcome to participate. If a student spots the Picasso bus, takes a photo then posts it on the University’s Facebook page, they will win a free “Picasso, Amigos y Contemporaneos” shirt, Reddish said.
Fiesta medals, $7, and Picasso shirts, $15, can otherwise be found at the bookstore located on the first floor of Main Campus.
The University also announced Festival de Cascarones, a free A&M-San Antonio event to celebrate Fiesta on April 22 at Main Campus. Food and beverage tickets will be sold to benefit alumni relations.