Over the last few decades, Corpus Christi has been painted with murals that shape the city with historical and memorable artwork. And now the 5th annual Downtown Corpus Christi Mural fest will be bringing five new murals to the city.
Between May 30 and June 6, six artists will be painting the future of public artwork in Corpus Christi. The featured artists are Anna Charney of Denver; Daisuke Okamoto and Brenda Cibrian of DBSTUDIO out of Los Angeles; Lucas Aoki of Austin; Megan Oldhues of Austin; and students with Corpus Christi’s K Space Mural Arts Program.
More information on the artists and Mural Fest can be found at https://downtowncorpuschristi.org/events/mural-fest-2026 and through @downtowncorpuschristi on Instagram and Facebook.
CORPUS CHRISTI’S PUBLIC ART
Corpus Christi was one of the first cities in Texas to enact the “Percent for Art Program” ordinance in 1987. This has allowed artists to display their artwork in community spaces within the city to this day.
One such artwork is “Endless Sunset: The Colors of Our City,” a 61-foot long mural composed of 65 five-foot panels painted in March 2016 by Sandra Gonzales, alongside the support of the local community. It can be found on the side of the former Corpus Christi Caller-Times building on North Broadway and Taylor streets. It was unveiled on Aug. 5, 2016.
This interactive and colorful mural ties its roots down the wildlife and culture of the Coastal Bend. The center of the mural showcases the different types of native wildlife to Corpus such as the sea turtle, trout, starfishes, and dolphins. The variety of colorful roses and hibiscus help capture and bring the horticultural scenery in Corpus together.
According to Gonzales, “I was inspired by the beautiful sunsets of the South Texas Gulf Coast,” she told the Caller-Times in a Jan. 14, 2016 interview. “[The design] shows the joy of nature and the surroundings of Corpus Christi.”
THREATS TO PUBLIC ART
In October 2025, Corpus Christi’s Downtown Management District’s social media announced the upcoming removal of 25 public art projects including crosswalks and electrical boxes.
The City of Corpus Christi had 30 days to comply avoid the cutting of federal funding for future projects.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbot ordered the Texas Department of Transportation to make cities and counties comply with the “Safe Roads” initiative to remove “nonstandard’’ pavement markings.
“Today, I directed the Texas Department of Transportation to ensure Texas counties and cities remove any and all political ideologies from our streets. To keep Texans moving safely and free from distraction, we must maintain a safe and consistent transportation network across Texas. Any city that refuses to comply with the federal road standards will face consequences including the withholding or denial of state and federal road funding and suspension of agreements with TxDOT,” Abbott wrote in the order issued Oct. 8, 2025. This order mandated the removal of rainbow crosswalks and electrical box murals to be removed from state-maintained roads.
Days later, the Texas Department of Transportation confirmed that the Safe Roads Initiative would affect electrical box murals.
While many memorable pieces in downtown Corpus Christi were at the stake of removal, the history of public artwork is here to stay for many years.
