Murals to inspire you!
Enjoy Art in Everyday Settings
We want you to enjoy access to art with ease! Whether you’re walking down the street, through a park, heading to a parking garage, or because you purposefully chose to seek out art.
Our banner mural program serves as temporary public art, changing out at varied frequencies and curated by the City of Round Rock Arts and Culture. Our public art program also includes sculptures — temporary, visiting and permanent — and for more information about those, please click here.
We hope public art enhances your experience in Round Rock, sparks conversation or inspires you to create, gives you an extra reason to enjoy the outdoors and local businesses, makes your commute more pleasant, and provides you with a moment to step outside to think about something different from your everyday.
Recently Installed Art
We’ve added more color for your enjoyment in Round Rock, with a roll-out of several new murals for 2024!
Some of this art was created as site-specific art — created specifically for the location and with a nod to the location’s environment (as is the case with Samantha Melvin’s “Fleeting Landscape”). Other pieces add interest and bold color to public buildings and spaces. And one, like the above, warmly welcomes you to the City Hall Parking Garage!
We are thankful to City of Round Rock staff members for their art installation expertise!
Explore Our Mural Collection
Artist statement:
Michelle’s passion is creating art that sparks joy and promotes kindness, love, and inclusivity. “Howdy from Texas” is inspired by her love of this state and the desire to make everyone feel welcome here.
Michelle is inspired by nature and her family. She follows her curiosity to create whimsical, vibrantly colored art. In her work, she uses a combination of paints, fabrics, embroidery, and other mixed media. Michelle has always loved things that are handmade, colorful, quirky and/or vintage, and tries to use upcycled materials where possible. Like people, there is something beautiful about art and objects that are unique and have a story.
Artist Bio:
Michelle is a native Texan and has lived in the Austin area since high school. She graduated from University of Texas at Austin with a degree in Computer Science and worked in the local tech industry for over 25 years before retiring to pursue creating art and volunteering in the community.
Follow the artist Michelle Rankin:
Artist: Neena Buxani
Title: “Almost Paradise”
Location: Prete Plaza
Artist’s Statement:
“Almost Paradise” celebrates the beauty of nature by combining vibrant color schemes, patterns, and textures that can be found both in the natural world and in the world of fashion. I’m inspired by what I see on the runway, in stores, and in fashion magazines, and by the ways in which elements of nature are expressed through design. Like in fashion, color plays an integral role in my paintings. In this piece, I chose to exaggerate the tones of my subjects to add a dramatic effect. I believe nature has a dark and a light side. By depicting flora and fauna in vibrant, uplifting hues, I aim to highlight nature’s glamour and grace. Ultimately, my wish is to spread positivity and hopefulness through my work, one painting at a time.
About the artist Neena Buxani
Neena Buxani is an Indian-American artist who was raised on the border of Mexico in Brownsville, Texas. She currently resides in Austin, Texas with her husband and two boys. Neena has a B.S. in Advertising and Speech Communications and an M.S. in Social Work from the University of Texas at Austin, as well as a Gemological Certification from GIA. She has worked as a substance abuse counselor, jewelry buyer, loan officer, jewelry store owner and general manager for a hotel. Her multifaceted background and multicultural upbringing has helped to shape her vision as a self- taught artist.
Neena’s work has been featured in various publications such as Create! Magazine, All SHE makes Magazine, the Friend of the Artist Book, EASTside Magazine, the Bluehost Artist Spotlight, and the KXAN Artist Spotlight. Her paintings have been represented by Tommy Bahama Home, PxP Contemporary, and Austin Art Garage. Neena has had recent solo exhibits at the Dougherty Arts Center, Austin American Resource Center, the Arts Council of Brazos Valley and the Austin Bergstrom International Airport. She has also served as a curator for the Round Rock Texas State University.
Connect with the artist
Neena Buxani
Artist: Samantha Melvin
Title: “Fleeting Landscapes”
Location: 221 East Main, at Prete Plaza
Artist Statement:
The seven, vibrant screens of Fleeting Landscapes portray a selection of native plants from the Blackland Prairies ecoregion of Texas, considered one of the most devastated ecoregions in the world. A majority of the original 12 million acres of rich, dark clay soil that extended across Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama were converted to crop agriculture in the last 150 years. Only 10,000 acres, less that 1%, remain in protected or prairie condition. In Texas, the northern edge extends just south of the Red River, including Dallas, and to the south including Austin to San Antonio. The city of Round Rock is located in the Blackland Prairies ecoregion.
The original 60 x 22” panels for this installation were created using monotype printmaking on mulberry paper. Through the use of hand drawn and cut stencils, layers of translucent color and botanical shapes celebrate the landscape. Humans are merely passing through these scenes. The dominant tall grass species of the Little Bluestem, Big Bluestem, Indiangrass, and other native plants and wildflowers like the Pale Purple Coneflower, Texas Bluebonnet, Brown-eyed Susan, Cardinal Flower, and Indian Blanket demonstrate the varied and natural beauty of this fleeting ecosystem.
What can you do to protect the Blackland Prairies for future generations?
Featured Species in this artwork:
Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii)
Brown-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia triloba)
Cardinal Flower (Lobelia cardinalis)
Indian Blanket (Gaillardia pulchella)
Indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans)
Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium)
Pale Purple Coneflower (Echinacea pallida)
Texas Bluebonnet (Lupinus texensis)
Follow the Artist: www.samanthamelvin.com
To learn more about the Blackland Prairies ecoregion, check out these resources selected by the artist:
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, “Special Collection: Blackland Prairies”
Native Prairies Association of Texas, “Pocket Prairies”
Reed Noss, “Texas Blackland Prairies,” One Earth
Texas Parks and Wildlife, “Blackland Prairies”
The Nature Conservancy, “Clymer Meadow serves as a center for study of the Blackland Prairie”
Artist Statement:
I have this need to communicate my ideas through abstract shapes. It is my way of providing explanations about how I feel about something, or what I experience somewhere. The smooth shapes themselves tend to simplify what I see, but the placement of these shapes and their closeness to one another speak to the complexity of what I want to convey.
Artist Bio:
Betsy is an Artist who began painting within the last 5 years. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Fashion Design and Costume Construction, and returned to college later to complete her Master of Science in Nursing. She continues to enjoy working as a Registered Nurse in public health, and also continues her commitment to focusing on the development of her vision as a Painter.
She celebrates her personal achievements in her studio and participates in shows around the city to be a voice in the Austin art community. What started as a small practice for self expression, has continued to grow and flourish by sharing her artistic perspective on life with others.
Betsy lives in the Austin area with her husband Justin and 3 children. Their 2 dogs and many outdoor activities give her much to appreciate throughout the year. She currently serves on the board of the local non-profit Creative Arts Society, a group for Artists in greater Austin.
Artist Website:
Artist Statement
In my series of paintings, I explore the technique of pointillism, infusing it with a burst of vibrant colors and amusing expressions on animal subjects. Through this unique combination, I aim to create a lighthearted and whimsical experience that brings joy and laughter to viewers. Color plays a vital role in my artwork, as it adds a sense of energy and spontaneity, reflecting the joyful and spirited nature of the animal kingdom.
Through my paintings, I seek to elicit laughter and lightness in the hearts of viewers. Humor has the power to bridge gaps, uplift spirits, and bring people together. By infusing animals with funny expressions, I aim to create a connection between humans and the animal world, fostering a sense of empathy and reminding us of the shared experiences and emotions that transcend species.
While the primary intention of my artwork is to entertain and bring a smile to viewers’ faces, it also carries a deeper message. By portraying animals in humorous ways, I hope to spark conversations about the importance of empathy, conservation, and the preservation of our natural environment.
In a world that can often be full of challenges, I invite viewers to step into a realm of playfulness and imagination through my colorful pointillism-inspired animal paintings. May these artworks serve as a reminder to find joy in simple moments, to embrace humor as a tool for connection, and to cultivate a deeper appreciation for the world of animals. May they inspire a commitment to protect and preserve the natural world and its inhabitants, ensuring a future where both humans and animals can thrive in harmony.
Artist Bio
Holly Glenn is a professional, acrylic painter who resides in Liberty Hill, Texas. Studying psychology and art at UC Berkeley, she began showing her work in galleries and art festivals beginning in 2012. Her work can be found in personal collections, galleries and various art festivals throughout the United States.
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Artist: Stephen A. Harper
Title: “Tin Men of Texas”
Location: Brown Street, just off West Main Street in Downtown Round Rock
Artist Statement:
Preserving and shedding light on our magnificent surroundings and its stories is Stephen A. Harper’s current assignment as a photographer. The Tin Men of Texas series does this by capturing timely portraits of original water towers across Texas with the mission of encouraging folks to explore and develop a greater affection for Texas.
About the artist Stephen Harper
Over the last five years Stephen has been dedicated to capturing landmark photography. In 2009, he graduated in Full Sail University with an art degree in filmmaking.
Note from the artist about the postmarks on each of the murals:
The dates on the postage stamps for each panel includes the year the tower was built as well as my wife and I’s anniversary and the birthdates of my two boys.
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Artist: Kathleen McElwaine
Title: “Longhorn Series”
Location: Brown Street, just off West Main Street in Downtown Round Rock
Artist Bio:
I grew up on a small quarter horse ranch in Tulsa, Oklahoma with a full-fledged cowboy daddy. Much of my childhood was spent, sketchbook in hand, in the front seat of a ‘54 Chevy pickup truck at the closest calf roping. With the sun warming my face through the windshield of that old truck, I learned to love the lay of the land, art, and animals. My passion for art and creativity was born there.
My goal as a professional artist is the same as it was when I first started, to passionately show the world my view of the beauty all around us. I want everyone who views my work to enjoy some “original Texas whimsy.”
My husband and I lived in Texas a short time before we started hearing each new person we met say, “I’m so happy you’re here!” I felt like I was being included as a Texan. One day as we drove in the country, we came upon six longhorns standing by a fence watching all the people out of their cars taking photos of them. The longhorns were looking at the people, and the people were looking at the longhorns. My husband pulled the car over at my bidding, and I joined the people. I asked if this was a unique thing to see longhorns. I had grown up helping my father take care of cattle and was familiar with the beauty of longhorns. I took a few photos. On the way home, I looked at the pictures and began to visualize the paintings I wanted to paint. The first one would show six longhorns standing together looking straight at the viewer. I knew this would be the first of a series of longhorn paintings titled Together We Stand. A short time later I added Bessie in the Bluebonnets and Party of Three.
Follow the artist: https://kmcelwaine.com
Artist Statement:
Tali Rachelle. The Artist.
“Your work speaks much louder than you do.” Hi there! I’m Tali Rachelle, a self-taught graphic artist, illustrator, and USAF veteran. I heard this line OFTEN during my college years as a Technical Design undergraduate. When I’m working on my designs, I prefer to be alone with my headsets on. I tune out the rest of the world and allow song lyrics to “pump me up” and even, at times, inspire my art.
I’ve been teaching myself to draw since early childhood; it’s an inherited trait. I rarely have a story in mind when I’m creating and I don’t really have a signature style. I’m always practicing different techniques and honing my skills to make my art more interesting. This results in a manifestation of a series of designs.
I draw digitally with a vector program, then I add the final touches and effects using photo editing software. I have a soft spot for technical design, surrealism, and all things fantastical. What I create is authentically me. I create the art I want to see in the world.
Follow the artist Tali Rachelle: www.talirachelleart.com
Library Lightbox Mural
When you enter the main floor of the Round Rock Public Library, you’ll notice a glowing mural! Round Rock Arts and Culture sponsored Lauren Hua’s “Silver Koi Pond I” at this location.
Artist Statement:
Lauren Hua
Silver Koi Pond I
Medium: Acrylic, Acrylic wash, Mixed Media and 24k Gold Foil
This piece was done with waved layers of modeling paste sculpted to create ripples in water, on top of acrylic washes to imbue a watercolor effect. Every layer is required to dry before the next can be applied, therefore, this work took several weeks to complete. The koi themselves are done in gold acrylic with and embellished with genuine 24k gold foil to capture the life and movement of sunlight on scales.
Tranquil and calm, this piece is part of a diptych meant to give a sense of peace and contentedness. Both horizontally and vertically, these pieces were painted so the water ripples and koi appear to flow seamlessly from one canvas to the other no matter how they are displayed. There is a subtle complexity to be unraveled, take your time to contemplate it and find peace in the meditative experience.
Artist Bio:
Lauren Hua is an abstract expressionist painter who uses art as a way to blend her American upbringing with her Asian heritage. Carrying her heritage to the canvas as the subject, her pieces are free flowing, with both Japanese and Chinese influences in the brush strokes and compositions. Yet they deviate from the traditional, structured calligraphy lines with bold textures and metallic accents that are unapologetically independent and self assured.
Her embrace of the abstract realm is a break from the exacting regime of her past. There’s no pressure to be perfect, there’s nothing that has to be “exactly so” or be left open to criticism. Abstract painting can be anything you want it to be, as both the creator and as the viewer. What one person feels and interprets from a painting can be completely different from another or from the artist themselves. It can even change from day to day, moment to moment depending on mood or whim. But that doesn’t make it wrong, if anything the conceptional fluidity makes them better able to be more widely appreciated.
Layers upon layers, modeling paste is built on top of multiple acrylic washes and finished with metallic flourishes. As each layer must dry before the next can be placed, it is not uncommon for paintings to take over a month to complete. She is recognized by her incorporation of texture in an increasingly 2D world, giving her paintings life and dimension. The ridges, cracks and valleys are striking and visceral, meaning to be felt.
Mini Murals
Our mini murals series places artwork at the scene of local history. These small public artworks also add unexpected interest in an uncommon location – art that is wrapped around signal box structures!
At the entrance of the Koughan Memorial Water Tower Park, you’ll find a painting depicting a group of Local Legends — Round Rock’s Domino Players. This artwork appears within steps from where these gentlemen would often play their games of “42.” Two blocks north along Mays Street (at Anderson Street) you will find a signal box emblazoned with an historic photo of the original Round Rock High School building, now CD Fulkes Middle School.
Citywide Murals
Separate of our own public art, murals can be found all over Round Rock! Thank you to all of the local businesses that incorporate murals inside and outside of their businesses, offering professional experiences to artists and adding to the visual landscape of our community! A few of the many examples throughout Round Rock appear at right.
Where have YOU seen a mural in Round Rock, or are you a business that is host to artist-made murals? Let us know (artsandculture@roundrocktexas.gov)!
