SAN ANTONIO -- Kobe Bryant’s legacy continues to be celebrated at Painting with a Twist in San Antonio. Dozens of his fans are creating art masterpieces, as they remember and reflect on the NBA legend who passed away in a helicopter crash on January 26, 2020. 

  • Kobe Bryant died in a helicopter crash on January 26 
  • Class at Painting with a Twist in San Antonio focused on Bryant
  • Class raised money for Mambacita and Mamba Sports Foundation 

During the upbeat class, instructor Andrea Gutierrez got the mood set with positive "Mambafied" energy. 

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"Let’s just have fun and keep the positive vibes going," said Gutierrez. "You have a white, a purple and a gold."

Each class participant at the special art course was given a paint palette replicating the colors of the Los Angeles Lakers. The numbers 8 and 24 were stenciled onto blank canvasses, and then each artist began creating their own art piece. 

For Darius Salazar and his family, the class provides an opportunity to mourn and cherish memories with others. 

"It just brings back a lot [memories] and makes you reminisce about the good times," said Salazar. 

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Salazar first began watching Bryant in action years ago when he took on the San Antonio Spurs. 

"Kobe [has] always, always just been someone I looked up to, so I think it’s something that I had to do," said Salazar. "I had to come out and support."

A painting created in tribute to NBA star Kobe Bryant appears in this image from March 2020. (Chris Grisby/Spectrum News)

Participants are healing from the loss of the 41-year-old star with every brush stroke. 

"It’s just helping with the healing process, really," said Salazar's mother, Laura Adams. "It hurt. It hurt a lot."

The class was able to donate $540 to the Mambacita and Mamba Sports Foundation.