Walk around downtown Brownsville and you will see beautiful murals painted on the side of various buildings.
On the Crafts Building, and across the street from the Brownsville Performing Arts Academy, is a colorful mural of flowers, butterflies, and a woman’s face.
In the Market Square area, is a mural of a group of mariachis riding a bicycle.
On East Elizabeth and 9th streets, a mural is being painted that has flowers in various vibrant colors, and on the old H-E-B building on Elizabeth Street, is a mural of a tree, with a swing hanging from it and small flowers.
Walking down East Adams Street, you will see a mural of Elon Musk painted on store front of one the buildings.
The City of Brownsville, in collaboration with the Brownsville Beautification Committee, Brownsville Museum of Fine Art, Revival of Cultural Arts, Consulate of Mexico in Brownsville, and the University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley, has put out a call for local artists to create a new mural that will be located at 1268 E. Elizabeth Street.
The Call to Artist came about as a result of collaboration with working partners and shared experiences. The collaboration includes an overall focus and initiative of doing a community call where local artists are invited, and community themes are explored, said Marina Zolezzi, chief of staff to City Manager Helen Ramirez. said. The collaboration also focused on including local community engagement as part of the process.
This site was selected so it could be in alignment with City Commission Strategic Visioning Plan which supports the focus on the promotion of Downtown Brownsville as a destination for arts, culture, and nightlife, city officials said.
“This particular location was selected due to it having a high foot traffic/activity, close to international crossings, and businesses. It was also based on the mural project scope and budget,” Zolezzi said.
The specific mural location is funded by the Musk Foundation and the Brownsville Beautification Committee making the total “honorarium” at $11,268.12. The mural will be 23 feet in height, 49 feet in width and 1,127 square feet.
This mural project will also include assistance from volunteers from local partner organizations for the fabrication of the mural; each volunteer will have the opportunity to receive a stipend, Zolezzi added.
“Throughout history, murals have been a method to express art, representing culture and community. We aim to create welcoming places that inspire positivity and vibrancy, increasing community presence that will help boost the local economy,” the groups said in its call for artists.
Various themes are being sought for this mural that include welcome to Brownsville, native wildlife and habitat, main city sites, anchor institutions, Brownsville innovation, culture, and downtown, such has historic sites and the heart of downtown Brownsville.
The artists must have previous mural experience and show skill in painting, design and mural painting, according to requirements. They must submit a small portfolio of images, an artist statement, curriculum vitae, submit a preliminary budget breakdown and materials lists, and submit mural proposals that are aligned with the community themes listed in this call.
Officials hope for a good community response.
The deadline for submissions is at 11:59 p.m., March 10.
Complete information on the call for artists can be found at: www.btx.gov.
