Words and Photos by: Luis Arjona
Walking aroundbrDowntown Corpus Christi and ignoring the development occurring in the area isbrdifficult. Our hidden gem is getting some well-deserved TLC. An example of thebrefforts going into revitalizing the area is the Electrical Box Muralbrinitiative. The Corpus Christi Downtown Management District (DMD) is thebrorganization managing the liveliness growing in our downtown. The DMD isbrworking closely with local artists in providing murals to brighten up the area.brHints of Berlin-esque street art seep through our very walls creating anbreclectic environment for locals and guests. Spurring creativity, local culture,brand community, the art of downtown is the quilt that illustrates what it meansbrto be from Corpus Christi and why we love living here.
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Speaking withbrJordan Michael, the Communication and Events Manager for the DMD, she offersbrher highlights of working with the artists and what it means to work onbrrevitalizing downtown. She mentions that one of her favorite moments inbrworking on the Electrical Box Murals is the reception of the event.
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“In 2019 andbr2020, the DMD sent out a call for artists. Then the public could vote onbrFacebook for their favorite murals. We had over 30,000 votes between the twobryears. It’s exciting to see the public take an active role in this project frombrstart to finish” statesbrJordan when describing her favorite part of the mural process.
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Thesebrinstallations are an inkling of what the bigger picture is for the DMD. Theybrare working relentlessly to create a vibrant downtown. One that is “clean,brsafe, and a place where people want to live, work, and play,” mentions Jordan.brThe evidence is there. Along with the art are the efforts of local businessesbrinvesting in the area. Some staples have been around for as long as I rememberbrand now there is a slew of new ventures and investments to provide a morebrexpansive atmosphere for those who want to visit our gem.
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Alex Gillis,brthe artist behind the Better Together mural, spoke to us about her experiencebrworking with the DMD. She mentions that working with DMD was great and having the opportunity to leave her mark on Downtown Corpus Christi is a special moment forbrher. Her installation is off the corner of Water Street and Peoples Street. Thebrinspiration for her work is her view of Downtown Corpus Christi. Recreating thebraura of the area as she sees it. “Which is bright, playful, andbrcolorful,” Alex states.
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Whenever youbrare taking a stroll throughout the downtown area, make sure to keep your head on abrswivel and your eyes peeled. The murals are sprinkled throughout downtown.brHowever, the newly elected class of 2020 is along Water Street. A map can bebrfound here. Let us recognize our local artists working to brighten up our daysbrand city!
