Artworks

Parisian artist “Blek-le-Rat", born Xavier Prou, pioneered the use of layered stencil spray-paint techniques to achieve speed, stealth, and artistic vibrancy. His technique became the “go to” method for a generation of iconic street artists, including the infamous (and still technically anonymous) British artist, “Banksy” (of auction-shredding renown). This piece is on the wall of Waco Running Company, facing Union Hall (Food Hall). Is is just us, or does Chopin look like he's just been for a run and now he's hungry?

I created this piece to capture the childhood wonder and whimsy of watching a butterfly in flight. Almost everywhere in the world, butterflies capture one's attention and are symbols of hope and resilience. Each of the butterflies/moths represented in my design are native to Waco and migrate through each year. I wanted to tie together a universal enjoyment of butterflies and the particular beauty of the butterflies found in Waco. The flowers included on the sides of the box are native wildflowers seen in Waco each spring and summer. In nature, flowers of complementary colors can be found blooming side-by-side to enhance their beauty and make them both more noticeable to pollinators. A local example of this is bluebonnets and orange Indian paintbrush flowers. The background colors of my design, yellow and purple, are complementary colors, inspired by the genius of wildflowers. Each butterfly and wildflower are my original acrylic paintings, which I digitized and assembled.

As a Waco born artist, I create paintings with a lot color and usually of a whimsical nature. I wanted to create a design that was fun and colorful and immediately thought of some brightly colored candy -who doesn't love candy? I was always fascinated by scorpion suckers growing up so I had to include one of those.

Creative Waco ARTprenticeship, 2018 This artwork at 315 S. University Parks Drive was developed through Creative Waco’s ARTPrenticeship program. Aspiring young creatives from Waco ISD high schools earn real world concept-to-completion mentored work experience during the 8-week program. Under guidance from local artist mentors, the apprentices created a fresh and eye-catching work of art that reflects the beauty of our community. The motif of cranes or birds taking flight is a symbol of hope and blessing in many cultures. The origami cranes are symbolic of how the creative skills that built our community are handed from one generation to the next, just as the skill of folding paper into a crane has been taught by one artist to the next for thousands of years. This mural symbolizes Waco emerging from the chaos of tornado, storms, floods, and turbulent history, to gradually take form and flight towards a horizon of hope. The students talked and designed around themes of hope, courage, and emerging from a past that we can’t influence into a future that we can. “1,000 Hopes for Waco” was created by artist mentors Will Suarez (lead designer), Cade Kegerreis, Megan Morris Major, and Sean Oswald. Apprentices were Naya Banda, Nadia Benett, Lizbeth Duarte -Tavera, Londell Gilmore, Charla Goosby, Magnolia Oliphant, Willie Padilla, Tamra Richie, Savana Salazar and Joseph Wlazlinski.

My design is mainly inspired by the serene beauty of the rural areas of Texas. The inspiration was sourced from the cow farms and grass/wildflower fields I see when traveling through the state on car trips.

I decided to take elements from a beloved Hispanic game ‘Loteria’ and combine it with staples from Waco. Waco has a booming and beautiful Hispanic and Latin community; I felt it was best to showcase something to represent how strong that community is. I wanted to include both where I come from and the place I’ve made my home away from home.

i was inspired by my love for stuffed animals and the different varieties they come in! i combined both the idea of quilt patterned stuffed animals with jester/clown appearances!

I am married to a fabulous gardener and he loves the leopard spot plant that I often photograph. It's structure, resilience and ability to flower in the cold, wintery months in Texas and also withstand the Texas heat make it a plant worth respect. As an artist, I liked to play on those wonderful traits by exploding the color and restructuring the boundaries to make a design that is eye catching and beautiful.

Jamie Baesa is a digital artist based out of Waco, Texas. She draws on her heritage as an American-born Chinese third culture kid, her love for puns, and her desire to see individuals connect in meaningful ways as inspiration for her artwork. Her company, Designs with Jamie, exists to spread the joy of knowing and being known through stationery and gifts that encourage, connect, and delight.

My name is Rajesh Solanki, a creator local to Waco for the last five years. My goal in this design was to lean into a graphic design sensibility. I wanted bold, bright colors. Most importantly, I wanted to highlight important pieces of Waco’s culture. I chose imagery that I felt spoke to the history of the city.

Zander Lim is an illustrator and designer who creates vibrant multimedia drawings and products inspired by his Asian-American heritage and aspects of everyday life. His goal is to share his art with others in order to inspire them and show them the beauty of our surroundings and nature. To see more of his art check out his website www.zandartistry.com or go to his Instagram @zandartistry.

I am a highschool Artist from McGregor! Art gives me the freedom to put my thoughts, emotions, and imagination into something visual that others can see and relate to. I work with many different media, and love playing with different textures and colors! I enjoy pushing my boundaries to see how far I can take an idea.

Melanie M Stokes is an oil painter, moving to McLennan County from Georgia in 2018. She and her husband live on acreage near Mart, inspiring paintings of big skies in landscapes. With a B.A. in Communications and a M.Ed. in Art Education, she is enjoying pursuing her passion for painting, after 26 years of teaching in Georgia schools. Melanie and her husband, Steve, relocated to be near family and grandchildren here. Juried memberships in Outdoor Painters Society and Professional Artists of Central Texas (PACT) have provided opportunities for group shows and new artist friends. On her website, www.melaniestokesart.com there is an extensive list of shows she has had the opportunity to be in. "Painting is something I not only enjoy doing, but something I need to do.  It is a language of color and tone that brings richness to my soul.  It becomes a spiritual act of worship while I marvel at the beauty of Creation. It is an expression of what I choose to see and process in this world.” -MStokes

Aleah Burns is an emerging Waco-based artist working primarily in painting. She is currently a student at Baylor University pursuing a BFA in Studio Art with a concentration in painting and plans to pursue an MFA after graduation with the hopes of building a career as an artist and professor. Born and raised in Waco, Burns jumped at the opportunity to create artwork for her community. As a child, she recalls staring at traffic lights in curiosity and awe, wondering how they knew when to change color—naively imagining someone hidden nearby, patiently watching the cars and controlling the lights. Her artwork builds on this idea, serving as a playful tribute to the beauty of the limitless, and sometimes absurd, imagination of children. It stands as a love letter to both her own childhood experiences in Waco and to the children of Waco today.

My piece is inspired by the historic Waco tornado in the 1950s. I have added a mockingbird and magnolia branch to highlight the beautiful nature here, and also as a nod to Magnolia. The ALICO is one of the only surviving buildings from downtown, so I showed it standing in spite of the tornado. If the ALICO is not allowed for copy-write reasons, I have a version without it. I’ve created this design to loop around accurately.

In partnership with The Cove, local artist Julie Cervantes and apprentices Breneisha Thompson, Kelle DeSouza, and Passion Salazar, designed and painted this original work for The Cove in 2020. Sharing the message of hope and how the power of community can help overcome obstacles, the bird represents our highest hopes for every Cove Scholar. ARTPrenticeship was able to pilot a hybrid program in response to the COVID-19 pandemic that set precedent to resume a full-size program in the fall of 2020. THIS PROJECT WAS CREATED BY: Artist Mentors: Julie Cervantes (lead designer) ARTPrentices: Kelle DeSouza, Breneisha Thompson and Passion Salazar Project Manager: Stefanie Wheat-Johnson

A truly eye-catching mural set, these two garage doors feature splotches of color reminiscent of paintbrush strokes, wavy lines, circles, and clumps of shapes. The use of color in this piece is incredibly thoughtful and comes together to create a fun, exciting story.

Located at the Art Center of Waco; bronze

By Solomon Bassoff and Domenica Mottarella Steel and sculpted, pigmented concrete. It is 100” long, and 83” tall and weighs 1076 pounds. Like all Faducci’s sculptures, notice how the artist captures real personality in this animal. Lions have a strong tradition in western art as heraldic symbols of power, strength and royalty. Why do you think humans see these qualities in a lion? What characteristics do you see in this particular lion? What animal would you choose to represent your personality?

By Andrew Scott Mother & baby African Elephants Open wire frame construction composed of 3/8” steel rods with a 6-layer powder coated surface. Human interaction with elephants has been part of their story – and ours – for thousands of years. Despite their strength, elephants submit themselves to human training and are major economic assets in many places, performing work that would take the strength of dozens of humans. Notice how although these sculptures represent solid and bulky animals that we characterize as strong and resilient, these linear abstractions are really subtle. They look fragile, almost look like ghosts of elephants walking across the park. Why do you think the artist has depicted a mother and baby elephant like this? What does it make you think about these animals? What does it make you think about their relationship with humans?

Joe created this piece to represent the beauty of women. The bright colors represent all types of women from all walks of life. Joe wanted women to see this and to see themselves as beautiful strong people. Despite what they may have been through, they are beautiful in every way.

Images from Waco's past and present mingle on the side of Ambold's Key, Lock & Alarm building on Franklin Avenue. Since this photo was taken, the City of Waco logo on this mural has been revised. Photo Credit, Jerry Larson, Waco Trib

Silicon bronze & patina American Alligator was cast in silicon bronze right in the artist’s personal foundry, which he has operated with his father since 1983.The variation in colors on this artwork was achieved through the formation of patina, which is caused by the reaction of some metal surfaces to chemicals. The process can occur naturally over time, or it can be achieved more quickly by reheating the metal and applying chemicals manually.

A bronze sculpture of a baby giraffe, laying comfortably on the ground. Located inside Cameron Park Zoo; Africa walkway across from African hoofstock yard.

Bats Taking Flight, plays on the wind moving the silhouetted bats about on long sinuous tubes of aluminum striking neighboring tubes, and generating ‘tinny-clanking’ sounds. The silhouetted bats are painted with a reflective, deep-blue color, representing bats at dusk. The reflective paint picks up on ambient light, headlights of passing cars, and beams from flashlights, all bouncing off of the painted bats and reeds. The bouncing, reflected light, contrasted against the dark park surroundings, appear as illuminated bats flying about.

Dewey Recreation Center The Sidewalk Obstacle Course Project is a community-driven initiative that transforms parks, community spaces, and school campuses by painting interactive obstacle courses designed by local students and brought to life by professional artists. These installations encourage physical activity, creativity, and outdoor play for families/students across McLennan County.

"GiGi" Mygdal A bronze sculpture of a beaver bitting a piece of wood that will be used for the beavers home. Located inside Cameron Park Zoo; Brazos River Country Aviary.

Texas granite. “Blood Feather,” means living feather, suggesting transformation and renewal, and is a tribute to all the people of Waco. Blood Feather was exhibited at the Cultural Arts of Waco “Waco National Outdoor Sculpture Invitational” 2006 by Rolando Saenz Monumental Arts and Sculpture Studio, Waco, Texas. Acquired by the Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce Permanent Art Collection in 2008 and on public display outside the Chamber. For over 26 years Rolando has been taming the many different styles of granite and marble with his artistic talent. From small table top sculptures to towering monumental art.

Hole in the Roof designer, Nick Frigo worked on this mural in his free time. Photo Credit, Rod Aydelotte, Waco Trib, 2017

Silicon bronze Turtles are another animal that features widely in traditional art and mythology. In India, and among east coast Native American tribes, such as the Iroquois and Lenape, a giant turtle or tortoise is part of their creation story, carrying the Earth on its back. In cultures where turtles are traditionally eaten, their shells are often used as bowls and are decorated or carved. Notice the detail on this turtle’s shell and the expression on its face. What do you think the artist is expressing about this ancient creature?

This series of one and a half life-sized bronze sculptures depicts longhorns and riders, commemorating Waco’s history as the Brazos River crossing of the Chisholm Trail. The first sculptures were installed in 2008 and depict three vaqueros (cowboys) each representing a different cultural influence on Waco's past and present; Hispanic, African American, and European. The sculptures were commissioned by Cultural Arts of Waco, and funded through private donations led by Waco citizens Betsy and Clifton Robinson.

Located at the Art Center of Waco; welded steel

Spanning across the side of a western store called Cactus Rose, Menchaca's mural features a classic Texas-western scene. Along with a lone cowboy and horse are clumps of various cacti, blending into an explosion of pink roses.

Crawford Elementary The Sidewalk Obstacle Course Project is a community-driven initiative that transforms parks, community spaces, and school campuses by painting interactive obstacle courses designed by local students and brought to life by professional artists. These installations encourage physical activity, creativity, and outdoor play for families/students across McLennan County.

Brooke Avenue Elementary The Sidewalk Obstacle Course Project is a community-driven initiative that transforms parks, community spaces, and school campuses by painting interactive obstacle courses designed by local students and brought to life by professional artists. These installations encourage physical activity, creativity, and outdoor play for families/students across McLennan County.

This wall is about to become part of "ARTPLACE", an exciting new art center. But this historic mural will stay and be incorporated into the designs for the new center.

Bailee is an Illustrator and Junior at Texas State University studying Communications and Writing. When she’s out of class or back home in Waco, she loves creating art that sparks joy and whimsy in the hearts of others! For more of her work, find her on Instagram: @baileerieannart

Spanning on the side of Bicycle World, Dunks' "Cheers from Waco" mural features a collage of people and places that truly do make Waco, Waco. The historic ALICO building, McLennan County Courthouse, Dr. Pepper, and other classic downtown attractions are featured in bright, vibrant colors.

Brame Park (Bellmead) The Sidewalk Obstacle Course Project is a community-driven initiative that transforms parks, community spaces, and school campuses by painting interactive obstacle courses designed by local students and brought to life by professional artists. These installations encourage physical activity, creativity, and outdoor play for families/students across McLennan County.

Veteran's Park (Lacy Lakeview) The Sidewalk Obstacle Course Project is a community-driven initiative that transforms parks, community spaces, and school campuses by painting interactive obstacle courses designed by local students and brought to life by professional artists. These installations encourage physical activity, creativity, and outdoor play for families/students across McLennan County.

After facing some trademark dispute, The Findery mural, originally reading "Waco Feels Like Home", has since been altered by artist Kalyn Dunks to read "City With a Soul". When searching for a new phrase for the mural, Shelby Pipken found inspiration in a 1915 poem by Herman E. Morris reading "I love a virgin city 'with a soul;' Responsive to an altruistic call; Among her fond admires I'd enroll; And urge a 'Greater' Waco to her goal,". This phrase truly does encompass what Waco is about: spirit, passion, and community.

Bledsoe Miller Park The Sidewalk Obstacle Course Project is a community-driven initiative that transforms parks, community spaces, and school campuses by painting interactive obstacle courses designed by local students and brought to life by professional artists. These installations encourage physical activity, creativity, and outdoor play for families/students across McLennan County.

One of the greatest inspirations for my art would have to be animals, and Waco’s wildlife holds a special place in my heart! While we’re lucky to see these critters often they still deserve celebration, and why not do so with a little southern flair!

Sculpture at Art Center of Waco

A bronze sculpture of two cranes enjoying each others company. Located inside Cameron Park Zoo; Outside Brazos River Country Aviary near alligators.

I was inspired by the beauty of stained glass and the transition of day to night. The transition often feels "electric", which relates to these electrical boxes. The illusion of the stained glass represents a window into the utility box. The submitted image is derived from from a hand painted design and colored with photoshop. The final image is intended to be fully a hand painted to-scale panels with gold outlines digitized via high resolution photographs.

You'll have to head up the stairs at Dichotomy Coffee & Spirits to spot this mural. Make sure you grab your drink first, and you'll be rewarded by one of the best patio views in town!

Kendrick Park (City of Waco) The Sidewalk Obstacle Course Project is a community-driven initiative that transforms parks, community spaces, and school campuses by painting interactive obstacle courses designed by local students and brought to life by professional artists. These installations encourage physical activity, creativity, and outdoor play for families/students across McLennan County.

AIA: Stainless Steel & Concrete Sculptor: Eddie Dixon: Bronze Dedicated December 7th 2018. Doris Miller was born and raised in Waco and was the first African-American to be awarded the Navy Cross due to his outstanding bravery during the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. The “Many Sailors make a Ship” stainless steel ship’s hull honors the navy servicemen and women who lost their lives at Pearl Harbor, and those alongside Doris Miller when the aircraft carrier Liscomb Bay was torpedoed and sunk in 1943 at the Battle of the Gilbert Isles in the Pacific. The bronze image of Doris Miller, 150% of lifesize, “Coming Home” when manning the rail on the return to port.

"If you feel up to it you should introduce yourself to a stranger today" This mural, on the wall of the Dr Pepper Museum, draws inspiration from generations of advertising, images, and art that have been associated with the soft drink industry, and the interplay of Americana with the Waco-origin of Dr Pepper. With a color palette referencing historic advertising, the mural evokes the passage of time; time well spent over a drink with friends, bringing people together, which is a common thread for advertising and also for the mural-making process. “The making of the mural connected so many people into each other’s lives and I believe its work will continue because of the cumulative energy put forth by everyone at ARTPrenticeship and Creative Waco.” -Mick Burson, lead designer ARTPrenticeship 2021 THIS PROJECT WAS CREATED BY: Lead Designer Mick Burson Artist Mentors Christal Peterson, Julie Cervantes and Rajesh Solanki Film Mentor Cory Dickman, Mike Hamilton and Justin Sanchez ARTPrentices Christopher Ramsey, Jade Moncrief, Jasmin Nunez, Jatorrean Mozee (AV), Johanna Angeles, John Segovia (AV), Juvenal Ramos (AV), Karina Jaramillo-Hernandez, Katie (Trouble) Robinson, Leilani Vences (AV), Marisa Sanchez, Micha Morgan, Yajaira Martinez, Tahlia Tran Project Manager Stefanie Wheat Johnson Intern Truman Cunningham

One of three murals by Chesley Smith as part of the "Color Us Proud" initiative led by Neighborworks with Cultural Arts of Waco. The murals were designed to bring renewed color, pride and cultural vibrancy to Elm Avenue.

Bronze replica of an original work in limestone. Ely was an unusually large calf, and his front legs had been so restricted in the womb that he was born unable to walk. It was feared he would die, as he had trouble nursing, but thanks to the care of his mother, and his determined attempts to straighten his legs, he gained strength, eventually overcoming his disability, and is today a fully-grown bull elephant in Kenya’s Amboseli National Park. In this piece Ely has his legs fully stretched out in play. The original artwork was carved in limestone using various power tools–large and small angle grinders, a hammer drill and various burrs with a die grinder gave the final texture of the many wrinkles of an elephant’s skin

This mural depicts actor Johnny Depp playing the role of Edward Scissorhands from the 1990 movie directed by Tim Burton. It adorned the side of Enve beauty bar.

Located at the Art Center of Waco; bronze

Mural on the side of Uptown Peach vacation home rental

On the wall of the new Union Hall eatery, this should whisk up interest...especially when the one-way Franklin Aveue becomes a 2-way street. Check out Will's work inside Union Hall in the upstairs area, too.

This brightly painted cow stands at St. Paul’s Episcopal Day School, that Bateman’s grandchildren attended. Florence was part of the "Wacows" fundraiser for Art Center of Waco in 2000 that saw 40 cows painted by local artists, given pun-worthy names, and auctioned. You can occasionally spot the cows around town in some unusual places. Let us know if you do! Photo Credit Rod Aydelotte, Waco Trib, 2015.

Painted on 3 metal doors, this mural adds an element of new life to a beautiful historic building in downtown Waco. The piece features line-work of what may be Magnolia flowers on a dark green background, and is located near Brad Settles' "The Gift", which is a mural that's similar in color scheme and honors Waco's community through the imagery of nature.

This sculpture is dedicated to the idea that a community of citizens thrives and is most able to accomplish its goals when the spirit of friendship pervades its daily life. Children are used as the main subject of the sculpture because of their attitudes of fun, happiness, curiosity and innocence. They also represent the four major cultural groups of Waco's population. The animals in the grouping are important reminders that human existence is a shared reality. The lamb, together with the boy holding him, represents the farming and ranching industries that helped make Waco a prominent central Texas city. Skipper, the dog, symbolizes faithfulness and watchfulness. The turtle symbolizes the idea of eternity.

Bronze sculpture of a Galapagos Tortoise standing tall, keeping its head held high. Located inside Cameron Park Zoo; zoo meadows near playground.

"Be A Bright Spot" Sunflowers grow in Central Texas, both in cultivated fields and on roadsides. Sometimes, the wildflowers pop up in the most unexpected places, standing in a cracked sidewalk or right in the middle of an open field. But though they can take over fence lines or backyard gardens, the yellow blooms of a sunflower always make me smile. They are a bright spot in our landscapes, even on cloudy days.

By George! Famous Georges greet patrons to George's Restaurant. This artwork was generated as part of Baylor Senior Lecturer in Journalism Carol Perry's class. Can you spot country music legend George Strait, boxer George Foreman, comedian George Lopez, and former Presidents George Washington, George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush.

Broonze sculpture Ullberg spent 7 years in Africa studying, and chose this piece because he found the gerenuk to be an exotic and interesting antelope. He found it exciting to depict him reaching up, standing on his skinny back legs, which challenged the stretched integrity of the composition. Because of this, Ullberg had to include special engineering tricks such as embedding stainless steel structures in the bronze.

Abstracted but life-size giraffe made from tubular stainless steel crafted from stainless steel pipe in three different diameters: 3”, 2.5”, and 2”). He is approximately 18’ tall, with its neck extended and its tongue reaching for the canopy of live oak leaves that frames its site in Pecan Bottoms.

Giraffe is made from pigmented concrete, and weights almost 1000 pounds! Take a close look at its eyes. They are made from hand-blown glass. Notice that if you watch this sculpture for a while, you will see people of all ages and even animals walk up to interact with it as if it were alive. Why do you think this sculpture invites this kind of interaction?

One of three murals by Chesley Smith as part of the "Color Us Proud" initiative led by Neighborworks with Cultural Arts of Waco. The murals were designed to bring renewed color, pride and cultural vibrancy to Elm Avenue.

The idea behind this mural was inspired by a metaphor in the movie Field of Dreams. This was the beginning of the pandemic and I was thinking a lot about that phrase “You can lead a horse to water but you cant make it drink”. I just kept wishing the horse would take the advice. I was open to recommendations and I was able to understand how important advice and being still is. Also Texas references resurface in Burson's work and he indulge in country themes for a bit. So these two aligned and there are horses drinking water, there is nature and references to its blissfully unaware beauty, there is references to human spaces where a viewer can feel more connected and hopefully investigate further. There are moments that make no sense at all and those are beautiful and the hardest to make, and also the hardest to not cover up in a moment of insecurity. It is a visual journey that speeds up, slows down, and sometimes stands still.

This mural was a gift to Waco from Waco resident Barbara Allinbloom, Russian Cosmonaut Alexandre Tarelkine and renowned Russian artist Gregory Semyonoff. It was the first Soviet American joint art venture during the glasnost era. It represents their joint vision of peace and harmony and commitment to world peace. At the time, the building was owned by Barbara's parents, Fred and Ruth Williams, who were patrons of the project. The central image is of Christ expressing his love for the whole world. On the right are American government and church buildings and on the left Russian government and church buildings representing the similarities in the two nations. Both, nations of immigrants from all over the world. The blowing flags depict the reverse side of the flags because the Russian artist felt that this made him feel the tension and destruction the Cold War was blowing across the world. The artists used the old Russian Flag instead of the then current Soviet Red flag with Hammer and Sickle, predicting the collapse of the Soviet Empire that occurred the following year in 1991. The inscription written in Russian “только для нас" and in English “not only for us” points out that the global arms race was destroying the environment and threatening the Christ-centered mission of peace on earth. It's a reminder to focus on our similarities and appreciate the diversity of all life on this planet and create a future for all to thrive. Photo Credit, Jerry Larson, Waco Trib

Maisano chose the Heron because of its graceful lines and decided on a powerful, upward-looking pose. He loved how the wings looked like a heart as he began sculpting them, thus the name “Hearts Unfolding.”

Hometown USA was designed to bring life, color, and joy to Austin Avenue, a major commute for many Wacoans and tourists. Our hope was to brighten up the ordinary, and create something beautiful for residents and visitors alike to enjoy as they pass through downtown. This mural also allowed emerging artists in Waco to experience the joy of painting, and feel empowered to make Waco more beautiful in the future! We wanted to create a design that would allow those with years of experience, or none at all, to come participate in the arts and discover a love for creating. This project is supported by an American Rescue Plan NEA grant from Creative Waco. With their support, Hometown USA celebrates a love of bright color and the Waco community with bold Texas spirit.

Nova Acrylic 2019 This is Waco’s largest mural to date 300ft x 16ft. It was commissioned by Diversified Product Development in partnership with Cultural Arts of Waco, and with a grant from Creative Waco's Arts Match Program. This mural depicts scenes from South Waco’s history. Features the Folk artist style of Ira Watkins and the Contemporary style of Chesley Smith, together with six additional Waco artists and over 40 community volunteers creating a series of images of the past.

Parisian artist “Blek-le-Rat", born as Xavier Prou, pioneered the use of layered stencil spray-paint techniques to achieve speed, stealth, and artistic vibrancy. His technique became the “go to” method for a generation of iconic street artists, including the infamous (and still technically anonymous) British artist, “Banksy” (of auction-shredding renown). When Prou visited Waco to paint this series of six murals in November 2018, he arrived the day that beloved Waco-based musician and composer Kurt Kaiser passed away. Learning of Kurt's role in inspiring a generation of musicians, he wanted this piece to honor Kurt, whom he never met, but felt a creative kinship with.

This mural was created as part of the “Color Us Proud” project through NeighborWorks and Doreen Ravenscrof of Waco Cultural Arts Fest. It was based on the phrase, “It takes a village to raise a child,” an Igbo and Yoruba proverb that exists in many African languages. The thought behind the mural was the resurgences of East Waco and its community. We must, as a community, see the potential of every child and cultivate their potential into integral parts of our future.

The original idea/message was created and commissioned by Brett Jameson. The wall was previously vandalized and Jameson wanted something to cover it. The design/message is directed to tourist coming into Waco. Though magnolia is great, don’t stop there. Keep going, keep exploring our wonderful city. It’s also directed to Wacoans — to keep pushing, keep growing & keep learning. With the current state of all of our lives during this pandemic, that message seems appropriate for everyone.

A bronze sculpture of a Komodo Dragon, which are the largest, heaviest lizards in the world and one of the few with a venomous bite. Located inside Cameron Park Zoo; Asian Forest deck across from Komodo Habitat.

Natalie is a high school student at Midway High School, plays band, volunteers, and is an active art enthusiast. She has had a passion for art since childhood, and finds comfort in the creative process. Her inspiration for the piece was based around the lush nature in Waco.

The eye represents us as people and the colors around it represent life and all that it holds. I wanted something that would grab people's attention and bring a positive energy to the area.

Dakota granite, base Fredericksburg granite. 2002 Sculptor: Jesús Moroles , (1950-2015) International sculptor known for his abstract granite sculptures. He lived and worked in Rockport, Texas, where his studio and workshop were based, and where all of his work was prepared and finished before being shipped out for installation. “Las Mesas” was exhibited at the Cultural Arts of Waco “Waco National Outdoor Sculpture Invitational” 2005 and was donated to the city in July 2005. It can be viewed in front of the Waco Convention Center.

Bronze sculpture with patina “These creatures are not so different from ourselves, we share a lot in common. Just like us, mother animals love their babies and the babies love their mothers.” - Tischler This piece has an incredible amount of detail informed by how well the artist knows his subjects. Notice how each cub has a different personality. Notice, too, that although this is a bronze sculpture, the patina is designed to give a realistic impression of animals whose coloring is designed to blend with the African grassland where they live.

"oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified" (Isaiah 61:3). The featured live oak tree mural is symbolic of Live Oak's mission: to bring students closer to God through a classical education. The project was initiated by student Rich Helmer and completed with the assistance of art teacher Bailey Pajela and other Live Oak students.

Bronze Sculpture

Veteran's Park (Lacy Lakeview) The Sidewalk Obstacle Course Project is a community-driven initiative that transforms parks, community spaces, and school campuses by painting interactive obstacle courses designed by local students and brought to life by professional artists. These installations encourage physical activity, creativity, and outdoor play for families/students across McLennan County.

The base for this sculpture was created by Waco-based concrete artist, Victor All in Blome, and was constructed to look like the termite mounds where meerkats often build their burrows.

Metamorphosis was inspired by the original art of Kathleen L. Slavin who was a part of Lovely Village and passed January of 2021. She struggled with mental health differences throughout her life and used art to transform her pain. The year she passed, several Lovely Village neighbors were lost and Will Suarez was commissioned to take one of Kathleen’s drawings and transform it into a mural representing a becoming for the many women we lost. It was named 'Metamorphosis.'

viewable from Columbus Ave.

Cast bronze While the artist was creating this work, his daughter-in-law developed cancer. Unsurprisingly, it was impossible for Brook to focus on his artwork with a life and death crisis facing his beloved family. After his daughter-in-law started to recover, he resumed work on the piece, pouring into this sculpture some of the emotional complexity of this experience. Notice how the parent arcs protectively over her chick…but they are not touching.

Collins' muse was an imaginary 1980’s plant and neon covered landscape. “Miss TV” is leading the way and showing off her fashion. Clasé is owned by a young local "big thinker" and she wanted the wall to match that energy. She hopes it can bring some fun to all the trailblazers in Waco.

Indoor/outdoor mural artist with work across Central Texas. My nature-themed art appears at Cameron Park Zoo, churches, homes, and local businesses in the greater Waco area.

Night Cat is a classic bronze sculpture cast in standard art-quality silicon bronze and finished with a classic ferric nitrate hot patina. Notice the cat’s stealthy posture–Is it carefully taking a drink along the exposed riverbank, or is it stalking its next prey?

Doris Miller Recreation Center The Sidewalk Obstacle Course Project is a community-driven initiative that transforms parks, community spaces, and school campuses by painting interactive obstacle courses designed by local students and brought to life by professional artists. These installations encourage physical activity, creativity, and outdoor play for families/students across McLennan County.

Artist: DVLD

This piece is painted on the side of OG Customs. The artist asked OG Management for permission to paint the wall that drivers would see as they downtown via Franklin Ave. “It was a new look,” OG Customs employee Diego Gonzales said. “It pops out, it has a lot color.”

A bronze sculpture of the largest arboreal mammal known as the Orangutan sitting peacefully on the floor. Located inside Cameron Park Zoo; Asian Forest play area.

Steel and pigmented concrete with glass mosaic tile Notice how the sun catches the iridescent tiles on the lizard’s back and makes them look like every color in the rainbow. One of the ways you can spot the work of these artists is the mesmerizing eyes that their sculptures have, which are made specially out of glass for each character. Do you see that this lizard is smiling?

A bronze sculpture of two otters just swimming and playing in the water. Located inside Cameron Park Zoo; Brazos River Country otter exhibit.

One of three murals by Chesley Smith as part of the "Color Us Proud" initiative led by Neighborworks with Cultural Arts of Waco. The murals were designed to bring renewed color, pride and cultural vibrancy to Elm Avenue.

McBayer Park (Lorena) The Sidewalk Obstacle Course Project is a community-driven initiative that transforms parks, community spaces, and school campuses by painting interactive obstacle courses designed by local students and brought to life by professional artists. These installations encourage physical activity, creativity, and outdoor play for families/students across McLennan County.

Brooke Avenue Elementary The Sidewalk Obstacle Course Project is a community-driven initiative that transforms parks, community spaces, and school campuses by painting interactive obstacle courses designed by local students and brought to life by professional artists. These installations encourage physical activity, creativity, and outdoor play for families/students across McLennan County.

On the east wall of Jumpin' John's convenience store, facing 18th St., this mural is filled with colorful and bold geometric shapes and designs.

Crawford Elementary The Sidewalk Obstacle Course Project is a community-driven initiative that transforms parks, community spaces, and school campuses by painting interactive obstacle courses designed by local students and brought to life by professional artists. These installations encourage physical activity, creativity, and outdoor play for families/students across McLennan County.

Steel and sculpted, pigmented concrete. It is 64” wide and 65” high. Razak and Auntie depicts two orangutans that live in Cameron Park Zoo; Razak, who was born in January 2017, and Kutai, his “auntie”. Just after Razak was born, his mother, Mei, began to display irregular, threatening behavior, and the decision was made to remove Razak from her care for his protection. Zoo staff decided to take over most of the infant’s daily care in hopes Mei could eventually raise him on her own. During this time, Razak was introduced to Kutai, so that she could provide surrogate care and all-important species bonding for him. Later, Mei recovered from what turned out to be a form of post-partum depression. She and Razak were reintroduced and they now have a strong mother-child relationship.

The images in this mural represent the strides humanity has taken when we've had the courage and audacity to reach beyond our limitations into new possibilities of imagination and innovation. On the right is a rocket blasting into uncharted space, as an astronaut surveys the future. The center depicts advancements in energy and mechatronics, with a turbine engine, wind turbines, and motor blueprint. To the left, biology meets technology, as a robotic hand sparks new possibilities in a strand of DNA. Lead Designer Natalie Ward Artist Mentors Tashita Bibles, Cory Lind and Kristen Thompson Film Mentors Cory Dickman, Mike Hamilton and Dominic Villa ARTPrentices Victoria Delgado, Natalie Erler, Nayeli Flores, Yajaira Martinez, Sara Olguin, Sylvana Prieto, Star Rosas, Ariel Farley, Mario Perales, Cayleigh Scott, and David Tran Program Director Stefanie Wheat-Johnson Program Manager Sakina Dixon Intern Jade Moncrief

Featuring bright blocks of color and shapes, Suarez's mural pays homage to classic Waco historical entities such as Paul Quinn College, mammoths (Waco Mammoth National Monument), 1849 (date Waco was founded), and the state of Texas.

“Roxy is sassy and playful, and she grabs so much attention wherever she is displayed. Her pose was inspired by a fox I saw leaning back, scratching, with her head slightly tilted in an almost curious way. I loved interpreting this pose with strong sharp angles moving into flowing curves. As I sculpted the front legs in a playful crossed position, to my surprise, a heart formed on the chest. Very often a heart forms in my work as I am sculpting, and it has now become a signature in so many of my pieces. People always have fox stories, which is what really attracted me to this creature as a subject to sculpt. My hope is that Roxy will bring joy and smiles to everyone who sees her and experiences this sassy little fox.” - Maisano

Mountainview Park The Sidewalk Obstacle Course Project is a community-driven initiative that transforms parks, community spaces, and school campuses by painting interactive obstacle courses designed by local students and brought to life by professional artists. These installations encourage physical activity, creativity, and outdoor play for families/students across McLennan County.

A bronze sculpture of two sea turtles swimming through coral in the sea. This sculpture is dedicated to Josh Risinger, who will always be remembered by his friends and family for his quick-wit and fun-loving personality. Located inside Cameron Park Zoo; inside marine aquarium.

Parisian artist “Blek-le-Rat", born as Xavier Prou, pioneered the use of layered stencil spray-paint techniques to achieve speed, stealth, and artistic vibrancy. His technique became the “go to” method for a generation of iconic street artists, including the infamous (and still technically anonymous) British artist, “Banksy” (of auction-shredding renown). The trademark rat character (which Banksy uses, too) is an anagram of "art". Sometimes rats are more numerous than the people in a city, but they hide where they are hard to detect and come out in secret - just like street artists. This little mural requires you to go deeper into the artworld of Waco to find it. You'll need to ask at the front desk of Cultivate 7twelve gallery, 712 Austin Avenue.

Located at the Art Center of Waco, painted steel

This mural is located on the side of the Shephard’s Heart Food Pantry where artist Mick Burson’s mother worked. “I think it’s one of my favorite pieces in Waco,” Burson says. “I really like the time in my life that it happened, it was definitely the whole experience of painting the wall. I also think the gradients are really cool. It looks like its part of it rather than on top of it.”

South Waco Recreation Center The Sidewalk Obstacle Course Project is a community-driven initiative that transforms parks, community spaces, and school campuses by painting interactive obstacle courses designed by local students and brought to life by professional artists. These installations encourage physical activity, creativity, and outdoor play for families/students across McLennan County.

Bronze on granite base; Acquired by the Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce Permanent Art Collection in 2008 and on public display outside the Chamber. Mike Cunningham. Argyle, Texas has taught and conducted workshops for many North Texas communities and has been a tenured professor and lecturer at the University of North Texas, School of Visual Arts. His sculptural works feature a variety of material including granite, bronze, stone, acrylic and wood.

Silicon bronze Since Roman times, the eagle in art has been a symbol of power and clear vision. Here the artist has placed the eagle in an almost vertical soaring motion. One wing reaches heavenward and the other points down to earth. Meanwhile, those sharp eyes are looking ahead – perhaps to the future. Notice the color variation, which is due to the application of a special patina that defines the feathers and helps protect the bronze.

Devorsky Park (Bellmead) The Sidewalk Obstacle Course Project is a community-driven initiative that transforms parks, community spaces, and school campuses by painting interactive obstacle courses designed by local students and brought to life by professional artists. These installations encourage physical activity, creativity, and outdoor play for families/students across McLennan County.

Cast in silicon bronze Notice how alert and stealthy this animal looks. This artist often chooses to put the animals he creates in action poses. What do you think that tells us about the animal? In European and East Asian folklore, foxes are often a symbol for cleverness, stealth, or trickery. Do you know what it means to “outfox” someone?

Styled after Van Gogh's famous painting.

This Indian style mandala design was commissioned by Roshan and Rima Thakor, husband and wife owners of Stone Hearth Indian Cafe. There was also a hand mural inside the restaurant, however, both have now been covered, as Stone Hearth is no longer at this location.

Nova Acrylic; The East Waco Library Mural was funded by a grant from Mid America Arts Alliance through Cultural Arts of Waco, partner NeighborWorks Waco. It was designed following a series of community input meetings and was painted with the help of over 60 community members. If you look carefully, you can find all kinds of historic and current “Waco Famous” characters here. The mural is an arts catalyst that impacted the renovation of the East Waco Library as we see it today!

The Carroll and Francis Sturgis Fountain, is named in honor of Carroll W Sturgis and his wife Frances Burnett Sturgis by Keep Waco Beautiful on its 25th Anniversary. Frances founded the Greater Waco Beautification Association (which later became KWB). She also served as a leader of Junior League, the Symphony Council, Art Center of Waco, Brazos River Festival, United Waco, Historic Waco Foundation and was a City Council member.

Tom spent a lot of time observing animals and their natural behavior through his conservation work, and his wife is a zoo veterinarian, so he gets plenty of opportunity to see them up close, too. He hopes that his art will stimulate a greater awareness of, interest in, and appreciation for these animals, and the important work of Cameron Park Zoo.

Cast in an aluminum/magnesium alloy known as “Almag 535.” Blumberg wanted to create a Waco-specific sculpture of birds taking off that would complement the character of the location. He wanted to interact with the themes of hope and optimism captured in the mural of the origami cranes taking flight (on Jackson & University Parks in Downtown Waco). The bird shape he has designed around is styled on geese, which are also evocative symbols of spirituality and hope in Native American and Celtic cultures. The artist has created a dramatic upward sweep, capturing the idea of a flock (or community) taking off together.

Art is a part of everyone's life globally and holds a dominant piece of mine”. Raised in the city of New Orleans, art and a sense of culture is very hard to elude. The artist, Donavon Cyan, began a journey in his youth that would continue to date. He studied art at the school for the gifted and talented arts, NOCCA, where the proper fundamentals were taught. Whether drawing on paper, painting on canvas , or cardboard, creativity will always serve as a guide to greater expression. Graphic design and the “Computer Age” was a new avenue to pursue. Taking chances to further advance in the art world is a challenge and has helped to groom the artist he has grown to be today. Barbering is a very under rated art form and always will require the creative eye, hands, and skill of a true artist. To create and give shape, form, and dimension to what has not been seen is a blessing. The trade itself has provided an excellent outlet to develop new trends and styles for the ages. Years of working as a Master Barber Stylist has proven to be a passion for design along with the artistry entailed. It’s comforting to still be able to share this common ground with my fellow visionaries and maintain my own identity. The art work created brings any wall to life. Ownership of his pieces is sure to reflect class, style and peak the highest level of appreciation amongst the elegant. Email : donavoncyan@gmail.com Venue: donavoncyan.com Social Media: Donavon Cyan

Bronze Sculpture

Located at Art Center of Waco, stainless steel

Creative Waco ARTprenticeship Program, 2019 This artwork at Waco Family Health Center, 1911 N. M.L.K. Jr Blvd. was developed through Creative Waco’s ARTPrenticeship program. Aspiring young creatives from Waco ISD high schools earned real world concept-to-completion mentored work experience during the 8-week program. Under guidance from local artist mentors, the apprentices created a fresh and eye-catching work of art that reflects the spirit and beauty of our community. This artwork combines themes the apprentices drew from hearing community leaders talk about the strong neighborhoods surrounding the Family Health Center. They learned about the history of women who rose up to provide a network of healthcare as midwives, nurses, and healers, whose life mission became the wellness and flourishing of their neighbors. The fruit symbolizes all that we take in or experience that affects our health – individually and together. It has no color of its own. Only through interaction with the woman and the man at her side does it take on color, vibrancy and energy. “The Color of Health” was created by artist mentors Will Suarez (lead designer), Susan Sistrunk, Bethany Franzen, and Julie Milstead. The apprentices were Julius Merriwether, Magnolia Oliphant, Maria Quinones-Prado, Kaeleana Ramirez, Daphne Rodriguez, Danielle Stevens.

Modeled after Settles' 2017 painting, "The Gift" serves as a 55 foot homage to Waco's sense of community. The piece, inspired by Cameron Park, features lush greenery and a bow of twine, with no artist signatures. The bow leaves room for interpretation; the "gift" in question may be community, nature, or Waco as a whole. View more background and Settles' work process on Magnolia Network's pilot episode of "Public Artist" (first aired in 2022).

Bronze Sculpture This piece captures the natural play that is part of how young orangutans (and young humans) learn how to be a successful part of a family unit. Like us, these animals have complex social emotions and interactions, curiosity about the world around them, and a sense of humor. What do you think these two young orangutans are doing? What will happen next?

Creative Waco ARTprenticeship program, 2019 This artwork on the wall of Brotherwell Brewing at 400 E. Bridge St. was developed through Creative Waco’s ARTPrenticeship program. Aspiring young creatives from Waco ISD high schools earned real world concept-to-completion mentored work experience during the 8-week program. Lead Designer was New Orleans Artist, Richard C. Thomas, famous for pioneering “visual jazz”. Under his guidance, and with input from local artist mentors, the apprentices created a work of art that reflects the spirit and beauty of our community. At first glance, this artwork looks abstract. Like listening to jazz on your front porch, it seems like a jumble of color and rhythm. Then, just like jazz, your attention is rewarded, and the patterns and themes weave their magic. Look closely, and you will see images and symbols. Families, seeds, animals, birds, plants, earth, air, water and fire; the elements of legend, history, and life. Some symbols come together to create larger patterns and pictures: An African mask (symbol of origin), a whale (symbol that sometimes we find ourselves where we did not choose to be), and a phoenix (symbol of rising from what seems hopeless). The interweaving symbols depict stories the designer and apprentice artists heard from community members as they listened and learned about Bridge Street. Every time you look, you will see a different story emerging. This is “The Spirit of We”. “The Spirit of We” was created by artist mentors Richard C. Thomas (lead designer and celebrity artist), Shawna Tomes, Cade Kegerreis, and Kristen Thompson. The apprentices were Naya Banda, Treshion Bryant, Brenden Kidd, Fate King, Lillian Olvera and IsaBella Thomas.

Pink Cheeks Studios is where I create wall dolls, illustrations, and paintings that celebrate whimsy and imagination. My characters—part guardians, part dreamers—bring a sense of play, tenderness, and magic into everyday life. I hope my work offers people a moment to pause, smile, and see the world with a little more wonder.

The Tree of Life mural represents the unity that is rooted in community, wisdom, and understanding. Individuals grow from their ancestors, passing along knowledge of how they came to be. The many stories are often intertwined when focusing on a specific place, such as historically rich East Waco. This mural is designed to highlight the flourishing community rooted in Elm Avenue. Generations of families in East Waco have grown and thrived through hardships and represent a vibrant culture that has often been overlooked and under-appreciated. Co-designers Vincent Thomas and Cade Kegerreis considered this project an opportunity to reflect these rich stories and respect the history of this neighborhood while looking to its future and aspirations. The wall is naturally divided into 7 panels each represents a day of the week, and a facet of the community’s success interwoven with symbolic fruits and stories from East Waco. Sunday/ Roots of Faith: Sunday celebrates faith, leadership, perseverance, and community love. Religion has always been a way for groups to join for a purpose larger than themselves, sharing in the values of love and acceptance. religion grounds our individual endeavors allowing ideas to connect and flourish into all facets of Life. THIS PROJECT WAS CREATED BY: Artist Mentors Vincent Thomas & Cade Kegerreis (lead designers), Kristen Thompson and Tashita Bibles Film Mentor Andreas Zaloumis ARTPrentices Jonathan Campos, Vanesa Carvajal, Lina Denson, Rafael Flores, Fate King, Zander Lim, Angelina Monroy, Jasmin Nunez, Lillian Olvera, Larissa Rodriguez, Niala Speedwell, Maria Duarte Tavera, Tahlia Tran, and Ja’Nasia Whitfield Project Manager Stefanie Wheat Johnson

Bears are symbolic animals in many art traditions, including Native American folklore. Their ability to walk on two legs made them seem closely linked with people, and their ability to fight even when injured made them symbols of strength, determination and healing.

I just want to bring life back into a mural i did back in the day that has so many memories attached to it.

Located at the Art Center of Waco; clay

Pigmented concrete. It is a much larger than life piece that weighs in at 1163lbs. The artwork is named for Paul Leighton Tyson (1886-1950) who was Waco High School’s championship-winning football coach from 1913-1942, and is revered as one of the most successful high school football coaches of all time. Under Tyson’s leadership, Waco High played six consecutive national championship games between 1922 and 1927, losing only two. The sculpture evokes the original Waco High School tiger mascot. If you know someone who was a Waco High student in those glory years, ask what the tiger mascot means to them. Notice that the artist has captured the characteristics of a real tiger as well as the characteristics of a mascot tiger. What do you think makes us choose an animal like a tiger to represent a sports team?

Hi, I’m Sam – a mixed media artist and biology nerd aspiring to become real life Louise Belcher. I grew up in Waco, Texas, where I was raised by two loving parents, alongside the warmth and moral guidance of Trey Parker and Matt Stone. I graduated from Midway High School in 2007, and then from the Paul Mitchell Academy of Austin in 2008ish. I have spent the remainder of my life working as a hair stylist and wishing I had gone to medical school. I learned recently that sentience is beyond the scope of scientific observation for any organism who lacks the ability (or chooses not) to communicate in ways perceivable by human senses. And also that free will is a giant question mark. While this information frolics around my manic brain, I like to make things out of clay and learn about the human body for no particular nefarious reason. Every once in a while, the stars will align and I find an opportunity to play video games with my best friend James Carmack, who tirelessly does actual transformative work helping animals in Central Texas who are down on their luck. When he is busy being an authentically good person, I like to play Cult of the Lamb. My sense of wonder and curiosity know no bounds, and this is in no small part due to incredible mentors in science and art that I have come to know in recent years at McLennan Community College. Life is an imperceivably small blip on the unfathomable timeline of the universe, and every moment is an opportunity to begin again. Viva la rèsistance! (Just don’t blame Canada.)

Parisian artist “Blek-le-Rat", born Xavier Prou, pioneered the use of layered stencil spray-paint techniques to achieve speed, stealth, and artistic vibrancy. His technique became the “go to” method for a generation of iconic street artists, including the infamous (and still technically anonymous) British artist, “Banksy” (of auction-shredding renown). When Prou visited Waco, he made time to learn about the community. Brotherwell Brewing, where this mural is found, had just opened, and its owners were passionate about creating a place for people of all kinds to gather, think and drink. Prou was inspired to place Victor Hugo here, as a character who was often inspired by rubbing shoulders with artisans over a pint of beer. Since this photo was taken, Brotherwell Brewing has become home to another major mural, and a vibrant program that ranges from Shakespeare readings to artisanal markets and live music events.

Parisian artist “Blek-le-Rat", born Xavier Prou, pioneered the use of layered stencil spray-paint techniques to achieve speed, stealth, and artistic vibrancy. His technique became the “go to” method for a generation of iconic street artists, including the infamous (and still technically anonymous) British artist, “Banksy” (of auction-shredding renown). Many of Prou's artworks depict the virtuosity of other artforms such as dance and music. This violinist watches over the patrons of Dichotomy Coffee & Spirits, at 508 Austin Avenue. Check out the interior and the roof patio, too, you'll find more art, entertainment, and refreshment for every palate.

Mural on a Visting Angels senior care facility reads: "do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some have shown hospitality to angels, Hebrews 13:2". Visiting Angels provides homes for the elderly on a national scale, and this mural serves as a reminder to treat others, especially strangers or elderly, with hospitality. The piece is highly interactive and encourages viewers to take photos as an "angel" in front of the painted halo and wings.

This series of 28 animal-based sculptures is by 17 leading artists from across the USA. Click the photo to discover interactive information about the project and each individual artwork or visit zoo.creativewaco.org

These sculptures commemorate the tornado of 1953 that devastated downtown Waco, and honor the heroic citizens who worked tirelessly to rebuild the city. Donated by Clifton and Betsy Robinson in honor of the Waco High School graduating classes of 1953, 1954, 1955 and 1956, whose lives were forever shaped by this event. Installed March 2019 With thanks to Clifton and Betsy Robinson, Roosevelt Tower, LLC, and the City of Waco

Right on the corner of Fuzzy's Taco Shop, Storey's "Waco Y'all" mural absolutely POPS with vibrant colors and abstract shapes. The mural beams with texas-hometown pride.

With the advent of Fabled Bookstore, these windows have now been reopened, but before that, this mural started the ball rolling on a new arts-based vision for Waco. The right hand side was originally a count-down to the first game in the brand new McLane Stadium.

Steel and sculpted, pigmented concrete. weighing 1153lbs. Notice how solid this animal is. It’s almost like an animal version of a tank. But sadly, its bulk is one of the reasons rhinos are so endangered. They are not as nimble or adaptable to hunting or habitat changes as some animals. Notice how careful the artist has been to capture all the details of this increasingly rare animal. What stands out most to you?

Bronze sculpture Deer are among the very first animals to have been represented in early human art. They can be found in the earliest cave paintings and carvings ever discovered. Our relationship with deer is that of hunter and hunted, but it’s also more complex than that. Deer can also represent the soul, a spirit of mystery, and are often symbolic of shape-shifting deities. They play a sacred role in Indian, Egyptian, Greek, Huichol (Mexican), Hindu, Celtic, Buddhist, and Islamic cultures. In Japanese Shinto tradition, deer are kept at shrines as sacred messengers to the gods.

Spring 2023, ARTPrenticeship prompted reflection on Hotel Herringbone, resulting in two murals and individual artworks at Gallery 507. The building merges past and present, symbolizing Waco's diverse history and promising future. It acknowledges the indigenous Wi’iko peoples and the Blackland Prairie before Downtown Waco's establishment. The murals depict mallow poppies against native grasses, representing the city's evolution and Mexican influence. They also honor Baylor University's role in Waco's growth. "Wildflowers I" portrays Texas wildflowers, symbolizing endurance and renewal, while "Wildflowers II" reflects Waco's future through portraiture. These artworks invite viewers to engage with the building's narrative and the town's layered history, illustrating the interconnectedness of culture, nature, and time.

n spring 2023, ARTPrenticeship prompted reflection on Hotel Herringbone, igniting the design of two murals and individual artworks at Gallery 507. The building merges past and present, symbolizing Waco's diverse history and promising future. It reflects the city's shifting identity and the repurposing of steel cargo containers into spaces for storytelling and connection. "Wildflowers II" portrays Wacoans, embodying community hope and future possibilities. Guest artist Kamea Hadar selected two 2023 apprentices to model, representing the spirit and diversity of Waco. "Wildflowers I" pays homage to the Blackland Prairie's natural beauty on the warehouse's red brick, symbolizing the connection between land and humanity. These artworks invite viewers to engage with the building's narrative, celebrating the interconnectedness of culture, nature, and human stories.

Cast bronze The elephant is anthropomorphized, meaning that O’Tool gave him human characteristics. It is actually a humorous interpretation of Rodin’s famous sculpture, “The Thinker”. The artwork presents a unique opportunity to see just how massive elephants are, by sitting right beside one!

You Look Nice Today Wacotown British artist Binty Bint painted this while on a trip to Texas in 2014. It's on 115 N. 7th St. Visible from Washington Ave, and on the backside of the building.

Parisian artist “Blek-le-Rat", born as Xavier Prou, pioneered the use of layered stencil spray-paint techniques to achieve speed, stealth, and artistic vibrancy. His technique became the “go to” method for a generation of iconic street artists, including the infamous (and still technically anonymous) British artist, “Banksy” (of auction-shredding renown). This mural depicts the young Picasso, and is on the wall of the new location of the Art Center of Waco. Follow the link to see what masterpieces are in the works at this exciting new facility.

Oscar Duconge Park The Sidewalk Obstacle Course Project is a community-driven initiative that transforms parks, community spaces, and school campuses by painting interactive obstacle courses designed by local students and brought to life by professional artists. These installations encourage physical activity, creativity, and outdoor play for families/students across McLennan County.