Greyhound Mural

The Mariachi Band sounded the perfect note to the unveiling of a new mural at Austin's Greyhound bus terminal, 916 E. Koenig, on Aug. 15. The work is, in a sense, a celebration of celebrations, with music and dancing, a piñata, Joseph and Mary from la Pastorela, and a couple from Día de los Muertos. This is the third such work that Greyhound Lines Inc. has sponsored in Texas through its Greyhound Community Reflections Mural Program, which promotes the contributions of Latinos in their communities through permanent pieces of art featuring work by young artists. In this case, the artists were a trio of Martin Middle School students, who worked with local legend Fidencio Duran to create the wall-sized work. Some of the painting was done at the Austin Convention Center during the July conference of the National Council of La Raza, which joined Mexic-Arte Museum in partnership with Greyhound on the project.

Approximately 50 people were on hand for the mural's debut, and with Mayor Will Wynn paying tribute to the artists of our community and Monsignor Lonnie Reyes addressing the invocation to "God, Great Artist of Our Universe," they were treated to a powerful case for the necessity and value of art in our world. Greyhound representatives thanked everyone involved in the project and, in an added show of support and appreciation, handed out a few checks: $500 to NCLR, $1,500 to Mexic-Arte, and $1,500 to Martin Middle School for its art program. Naturally, the three student artists from the school were present, and the pride on their faces reflected that of the Latinos in the mural they gave so much of themselves to. And though the ceremony is now but a memory, the mural still stands and will stand for a long time, with their names proudly displayed in the lower right corner -- Chelsea Torrez, Monique Machuca, and Ashley Lopez -- along with the name of their teacher Stephanie Gatica, and Mr. Duran's. They have helped make a valuable addition to both the celebration of their culture and the rich legacy of art in Austin.