ABOUT THIS PIECE
This design began with the idea to incorporate the river. The white curving line in the middle shows the path of the Rio Grande, with colors above and below to symbolize vibrancy coming from both sides of the border. Together, they create a picture of the unique environment we call home. The palm tree represents my hometown of McAllen, where all the colors meet. Without the presence of either side, the piece would be less bright, less inviting, less itself. The Rainbow Grande Valley is a celebration of what makes the 956 so special: a melding of two countries, two cultures, into something irreplaceable and all its own.
ABOUT THIS ARTIST
Bianca Mujica is an artist, writer, and advocate who was born and raised in McAllen. She is a queer Mexican-American woman with a degree in journalism from the University of North Texas. She has previously worked for The Monitor, but is now working for the mental health nonprofit To Write Love on Her Arms (TWLOHA). Although her family still lives in McAllen, she lives in Dallas with her husband, their dog Paloma - who supervised the pipe painting process - and their cat Gaia. When she isn't making art, Bianca enjoys playing dodgeball, eating noodles, reading, and exploring nature.
