These wonderful murals are in the theme of Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead and popular icons from the last few decades. You could look at this mural for hours and find new treasures. The mural covers the entire building, which was originally a factory for balances and scales by Ainsworth and Brunton (
visit link) . The mural features Jerry Garcia and other Grateful Dead symbols, Kermit the Frog, Monsters, Inc., iconic 70s Peace and Love art, iconic LP record covers, Jimi Hendrix, Volkswagen Beetle, and on and on ...
"Quixote's True Blue, established by three brothers, Jay, Philip and Aric/Dante, as a gathering for deadheads and kindred spirits after Jerry Garcia laid down his weary head one last time, is a bar dedicated to music. The derivation of the bar's name is twofold. Quixote comes from the Miguel de Cervantes' picaresque novel of the same name. The fictional figure Don Quixote was a man dedicated to the spirit of imagination and adventure that was inherent in the long strange trip that so many of us have and continue to take. Don Quixote was a character who found the magical in the everyday. He was also my father's favorite literary figure. Thus, the bar is partly dedicated to my father who succumbed to cancer the day before his birthday September 24, 1994. Both my father and Jerry Garcia were on a quest to bring a smile and higher awareness to all of those they encountered. Since the history of Jerry's travels is more commonplace knowledge, I will submit a brief history of my father and his personal, quixotic journey.
Philip A. Bianchi is an artist with a vision. He has created art since his youth. His hobby has become his life's work. He spent years in the art-steeped climate of Northern California, running a gallery near Mendocino. He has since moved to Denver and finally settled in the desert Southwest of Mancos, Colorado where he has set-up his Best of Quixote studio.
Miguel de Cervantes' Don Quixote has had a profound influence on Bianchi's life and his work. He sees himself as a man struggling with Quixote against the "windmills' of society. His art makes a bold statement: "It's the picture that's there when you take all the bull out of contemporary existence, the very essence. Their true meaning is reverence and grace. It takes me days and days to get to that place." His rich and complex work draws observers into themselves: "You won't have to ask what the work means, because you'll be a part of it. If you put good stuff around you, good stuff comes out of you. I believe art can save the world."
Philip A. Bianchi lived a lot in the short time he was here as did Jerry Garcia. Although they traveled in different circles, they proceeded on the same path. They brought joy to the people around them through their art. The vehicles they used as their canvas were simply different.
Jerry Garcia used music as his vehicle to "take the bull out of contemporary existence." Thus the second part of this establishments' name is derived from a song. Not a song by Jerry himself, but a song that he made come into being. A song that looks back as it looks forward. "True Blue" is a song written by The Grateful Dead's last keyboardist. It is about life after Jerry. The song details a personal struggle Vince had dealing with the death of a man who in such a short time had such a profound effect on him. His letter best encompasses the feeling that gripped our community when Jerry Garcia died.
Jerry was a patriarch of a loosely woven community. His death, although sad, has united a community. A common tragedy becomes a common thread weaving through our community. We become "tangled up in blue" and we become stronger. My father's death intertwines with Jerry's death. They become one as all the years combine. We become one.
Fare thee well,
Our love will not fade away,
Thank you, Jerry.
Thank you, Dad.
Thanks!" (from (
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