Texas Border Business
By Roberto Hugo González
McAllen, where vibrant traditions meet visionary art, one name echoes louder than the music, brighter than the murals, and bolder than the fireworks: Tania Viveros — the one and only.
As the Curator Artist for Earth at this year’s MXLAN, Tania Viveros isn’t just painting a picture — she’s orchestrating a cultural explosion.
Back again for her third consecutive year, Viveros has become the soul behind the visual storytelling of MXLAN, the festival that transforms McAllen into a living canvas each May. Her curatorial magic lies not just in selecting artists, but in empowering them. From emerging visionaries to seasoned muralists, Viveros ensures every brushstroke feels like home.
“It’s about more than just murals,” she says. “It’s about ensuring these artists are comfortable enough to paint for the city. I create the space where art breathes.”
A New Era of Art: Interactive, Immersive, Unforgettable. This year, she’s not just elevating — she’s revolutionizing.
Get ready for interactive murals that blend technology with tradition. Imagine vibrant panels that respond to touch, movement, or sound, inviting you to not only see the art, but feel it. And for the first time ever, Viveros herself will debut a community installation, offering a personal, immersive experience that’s never been done before at MXLAN.
“We’re in the peak of all the creative juices right now,” she smiles. “And this year, MXLAN will shine brighter than ever.”
From Street Chalk to Scented Signatures. Beyond MXLAN, Tania’s artistic journey is unstoppable. From engraving perfume bottles for luxury brands in McAllen, Brownsville, and Laredo, to chalk art that lights up the streets of Edinburg, and public murals transforming Pharr — her fingerprints are across the Valley.
“A few years ago, I was just dreaming of this,” she reflects. “Now I’m paving roads for the next generation of artists — and that’s everything.”
As an artist, mentor, educator, and community leader, Tania Viveros represents the beating heart of MXLAN — a living reminder that art isn’t just a spectacle, it’s a movement.
To the people of McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley: this is your moment to show up. Come celebrate culture, color, and connection at MXLAN 2025, May 9–11, at the McAllen Convention Center. Support the artists. Experience the murals. Witness the installations. And meet the one woman behind it all.
“Thank you to the city of McAllen for your love and support,” Tania says.
