When asked to Make Her Mark on the Downtown Square, its oldest business and the state’s newest Cultural Arts District, Julie Chi stepped up as an artist and a Garland resident. Chi spent nearly 100 hours creating a 9-foot tall, 110-foot-wide mural on the east side wall of Roach Feed & Seed.
“It’s really an honor and privilege to do a mural on a historic building like this,” she said. “For Garland residents, I really do hope they feel a sense of pride and belonging when they look at the mural. And for visitors, I really hope they feel welcome.”
Chi said she sought for the mural to have a culture and tapestry to represent the Garland community. Her floral combination included Texas’ bluebonnets, white flowers, sunflowers and dandelions. A chance, she said, to stop and reconnect with nature.
Born and raised in Vietnam, Chi has lived in Garland for the past 15 years.
“This is my celebration,” she said. “This is a way for me to contribute back to the community. To just celebrate the diversity and the rich Garland history and heritage.”
The city put out a call for artists in August to create murals at two sites, both within the Bankhead Cultural Arts District. For the east entryway into Downtown from Main Street, Chi was selected from more than 50 artists. The second mural is now complete at 601 W. State St.
Information and photo provided by city of Garland.