The Lost Murals of Roberto de la Selva
Scotch Plains Public Library
For many decades the work of a distinguished Latin American artist lay hidden beneath the wallpaper in a cottage in Feltville — Union County’s “Deserted Village. Eventually uncovered by volunteer maintenance workers, the colorful images depicting rural Mexican life displayed a compelling talent. Extensive research revealed them to be the work of Roberto de la Selva, a native of Nicaragua. De la Selva would go on to become renowned as a bas relief sculptor in wood, working as part of the movement known as Mexican Modernism in which artists such as Diego Rivera and José Clemente Orozco celebrated post-Revolution social reform and the heritage of indigenous cultures.
On Monday January 8, 2024, at 7:00 p.m., the Library is pleased to host a special program “Rediscovering An Artist: The Lost Murals of Roberto de la Selva” to share the fascinating story of these unique murals and the artist who left his mark here in Union County. The panel of speakers will feature:
- Daniel Bernier, Director of Park Planning and Environmental Services for Union County, and resident caretaker of Feltville
- Priscilla Hayes, a writer and researcher dedicated to chronicling Feltville’s rich three-century history
- Alejandro Anreus, Ph.D, Emeritus Professor of Art History and Latin American Studies, William Paterson University
- Ron Burkard, a longtime collector of de la Selva’s art (joining us from Oklahoma via Zoom)
Please register to join us either in-person or on Zoom for this event.
For more information or to register, go to scotlib.org, email library@scotlib.org or call (908) 322-5007 x 204. The Scotch Plains Public Library is located at 1927 Bartle Avenue.
