Keep McAllen Beautiful and the Texas Department of Transportation recently unveiled the City of McAllen’s newest work of art, a 408-foot mural located on an irrigation wall at the intersection of Pecan Blvd. and 2nd Street.

The mural was painted with an agreement from TxDOT’s “Don’t Mess with Texas” campaign. The signature initiative of their litter prevention program helps educate the public regarding the battle against litter.

Earlier this year, KMB conducted an extensive search for a local mural artist with a call for artist submissions. The much larger than normal artwork would require an experienced artist to be able to facilitate the project and incorporate the spirit of “Don’t mess with Texas” as well as the logo or wording.

The winning submission, “Don’t Mess with Texas, ‘cause we’re watching!”, came from Oneida Trevino. Selecting the winning design was the Public Art Committee and TxDOT representatives, who both thought it was ingenious that Trevino incorporated both people and animals to illustrate that theme.

Trevino is an artist, muralist and art educator. She received a Bachelor of Art from UTPA. She has more than 16 years of experience as an educator and has been creating artwork all her life. Her artwork consists mainly of portraits of people and animals in the Rio Grande Valley. She also incorporates a variety of media from watercolors to acrylic to oils, spray paint and clay. Oneida also has been the featured artist for several beautifully painted irrigation pipes around town. She loves teaching art and working with the community to spread a love of art through classes, workshops and community-led public art.

The mural was partially funded through the Texas Department of Transportation’s Don’t Mess with Texas campaign. TxDOT granted exclusive licensure for the use of their trademark “Don’t Mess with Texas” logo.  Approval was also granted by the Hidalgo County Irrigation District #2, as well as support from the City of McAllen.