Texas Border Business
By Roberto Hugo González / Texas Border Business
McALLEN, Texas — The City of McAllen and Keep McAllen Beautiful Unveiled Soaring Through McAllen, a mural spanning more than 14,000 square feet, created by artist Oneida Aceves Trevino to celebrate the Rio Grande Valley’s natural beauty, wildlife, and regional identity.
The mural, located at a downtown McAllen parking garage, commemorates the 50th anniversary of Keep McAllen Beautiful. The project required approximately 1,000 hours of painting and involved cooperation among city departments, community partners, and local businesses.
Mayor Pro Tem Pepe Cabeza de Vaca said the project reflects residents’ interest in public art. He cited a 2024 survey in which 1,000 McAllen residents expressed support for additional murals depicting nature, wildlife and local history.
Cabeza de Vaca said public art helps establish a city’s identity and creates memorable experiences for residents and visitors.
Texas Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa attended the unveiling and presented a Texas Senate recognition honoring Keep McAllen Beautiful’s 50 years of service.
The recognition acknowledged the organization’s commitment to beautification, environmental stewardship, and maintaining public spaces for McAllen families.
City Manager Isaac J. Tawil discussed the relationship between public art and economic development, particularly in downtown McAllen.
“Murals can become destinations,” Tawil said, explaining that public artwork encourages visitors to take photographs, explore nearby businesses, and visit restaurants.
He said murals also introduce McAllen to audiences outside the region through social media, travel and personal recommendations.
Keep McAllen Beautiful Board President Mike McClure said the organization has worked with artists from Texas and Mexico for approximately 10 years to transform public infrastructure into artwork.
Those efforts have produced an outdoor collection of more than 200 painted standpipes throughout McAllen, he said.
Oneida Aceves Treviño, the muralist, described the mural as the fulfillment of a childhood ambition to create large-scale artwork.
“When I was little, I wanted to be like Diego Rivera, and I wanted to paint really big walls,” she told attendees, referring to the renowned Mexican muralist.
The artist credited former Keep McAllen Beautiful representative Chris Lash with encouraging her to participate in the city’s mural program in 2020, helping her pursue a full-time artistic career.
She also recognized former art teacher Olga Sanchez, her family, and her husband, Jesse, who helped complete the project.
Treviño thanked Sherwin-Williams and equipment provider Komar for supporting the work.
“This is 14,000-plus square feet of a really big dream,” she said.
The ceremony also included recognition certificates from the offices of U.S. Sens. John Cornyn and Ted Cruz commemorating Keep McAllen Beautiful’s anniversary.
Following a video presentation documenting the mural’s creation, officials and attendees participated in a countdown to its unveiling.
The project adds to McAllen’s expanding public art collection and the city’s continuing efforts to incorporate regional culture and natural heritage into public spaces.
