Commission approves community mural plan under Manuel Perez Park overpass

The Arts Commission on Nov. 17 approved a recommendation for a privately funded community mural program under the Manuel Perez Park overpass, presented by Cellular 151 executive director Zeke Gonzales and artist/organizer Angie B. Santian.

Zeke said the small Southside boxing gym’s program will use murals as a platform for youth engagement and cultural recognition: "We empower the youth to become the best version of themselves," he told the commission. He described a "paint by number" approach to allow participants to return in later years and see the work they helped create.

Angie said designs are not final but the project will emphasize mental health, education, culture and community and include representation of Latino cultural practices such as lowrider culture and local festivals. "The main key points that I want to present in the pieces, these aren't final designs," she said, and added artists will be paid from grant funding the group will pursue.

Randy said the project is a full private donation to the city; public‑works staff are inspecting the bridge piers to determine where paint may be applied and what areas are restricted. All participating artists will provide VERA waivers and an art‑identification marker will be installed. The commission moved and approved the recommendation to proceed under a gift‑acceptance model, subject to permitting and public‑works limits.

Next steps: public works will issue constraints on painted surfaces, staff will finalize waivers and grant funding plans, and the group will return with updates as the curatorial plan evolves.