De Anza Motor Court, Albuquerque, New Mexico

The De Anza Motor Court was constructed in 1939 by Charles Garrett Wallace on Route 66 (Central Avenue) in Albuquerque. Originally executed in Pueblo-style adobe, renovations made in 1950-51 have obscured many of the building’s distinguishing architectural features to create what at the time was considered a new and modern appearance. Wallace’s most significant addition to the De Anza Motor Court in the 1950s was a private basement banquet room, north center section, featuring two brilliant, oil based, polychrome 20’ x 4’ Shalako murals, by Zuni artist, Tony Edaakie, Sr. Trained by teacher Clara Gonzales in the 1920s, Edaakie is considered a major figure in 20th Century Zuni painting and lapidary arts. As these Shalako murals, while subtly altered for non- Zuni viewers, are quasi religious in nature, viewing of such work by non Zunis requires educated, informed respect. Shalako is a Zuni winter ceremonial. Figures featured include: North Wall: a Ceremonial Father, the Little Fire God, the Rain Priest of the North, Deputy to the Rain Priest, a Shalako (a courier to the Gods), the Shalako’s support/alternate, two Mudhead figures East Wall: a Ceremonial Father and 6 Sacred Directions Guardians.

At the request of James Kraft, Unified Arts, Albuquerque, NM, Conservation Solutions, Inc. (CSI) and Steven Prins & Company performed an assessment of the construction design, materials and conditions of the murals. The report incorporated the results of the findings from that investigation which included the materials and methods of construction, their conditions, the causes of deterioration, and recommendations for remediation, protection, and treatment. The report also included budgetary costs estimates for the work and a list of qualified contracts to undertake the work.

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