Local artists share the Central Texas story, one brush stroke at a time

Story and photos by BRANDY CRUZ

Central Texas is a region that boasts, not only its rich history and natural beauty, but also a flourishing art scene that is increasingly celebrated through its captivating murals. These large-scale artworks have transformed walls, buildings and public spaces into open-air galleries, showcasing local talent, cultural diversity and community spirit.

“Public art plays a crucial role in shaping a community’s sense of identity and place,” Nolanville Mayor Andy Williams said about art. “It serves as a wellspring of inspiration, enhancing our lives in myriad manners.”

Rudy Calooy Jr., owner of Impact Visual Concepts, left his “brush” mark on Central Texas in 1978, when he began work on the iconic 800-foot long mural at Belton Lake’s Miller Springs Nature Center. The then-University of Mary Hardin Baylor student volunteered to take on the painstaking task of bringing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ vision to life – a massive dedication to the history of the Central Texas community.

To draw inspiration and drum up interest for the project, Calooy went to every high school in Bell County and allowed the art students to jot down their design ideas on scrolls. After gaining a wide range of ideas, Calooy’s finished project included everything from Bell County’s origins, to historical moments in time. It also includes a dedication to the military, the latter of which holds a special place in Calooy’s heart because of his affiliation with the military. Calooy’s father, Rudy Calooy Sr. spent 23 years in the Army, serving in both the Korean War and Vietnam War.

“There’s a military section and my father, being an Army guy … I drew him running with an M-1 rifle,” Calooy shared.

Over the course of 18 months, Calooy and an army of volunteers spent countless hours painting the 17-foot-tall wall, only taking a break in the winter when it was cold and the paint would have trouble drying. In the end, more than 4,000 gallons of paint was used to create the behemoth, totaling about $50,000. Calooy lovingly says the mural belongs to the public, because the generosity of the public helped make the project a reality.

“I’ve been very fortunate, very fortunate,” Calooy said. “This … this belongs to the public.”

Calooy has since used his painting talents to create other things in Central Texas, including basketball courts for Killeen Parks and Recreation, the recital hall inside the Fine Arts Academy in Killeen, 12 murals at Monarch Park in Nolanville, the First Army – Division West Parade Field emblem at Fort Cavazos and much more.

“Rudy Calooy Jr. stands as a driving force behind the burgeoning art scene in Nolanville, channeling his unwavering commitment to bring art into the heart of the our community,” Williams said. “From his engaging art installations during local events, to the vibrant murals adorning our parks and public spaces, Rudy has not only elevated our aesthetic surroundings, but also kindled a spark of creativity within each resident. For those reasons, we extend our heartfelt appreciation for his invaluable contributions.”

Amber Gabriel has also painted her way into the hearts of the Central Texas community. As the artist behind the ExtraCo Bank mural at the corner of South Main Street and West Avenue A, Gabriel has gained a reputation for her beautiful artistry and helped her learn more about Central Texas in the process.

Gabriel, a native of Oregon, was asked to paint the mural nine years ago by In the Mood Ballroom, one of the sponsors of the project. After creating a smaller draft of the project, the design had to be approved by In the Mood Ballroom, ExtraCo Bank and the City of Temple.

The mural, a dedication to the local community, features a variety of images that were based on real historical photographs Gabriel was able to gather from the Temple Daily Telegram, Temple Public Library, Czech Heritage Museum and more. The mural includes imagery from the Blooming Temple Festival, a football game between Temple and Belton high schools, the old hospital, cotton and corn farming, railroad, downtown nightlife and all things Texas. Gabriel said it was important to her to be as historically accurate as possible and the community responded positively.

“I had people who came by who worked on the train, people who worked in the hospital, people from the Temple and Belton football teams. The actual person from that photo (of the football game) told me the story about that play,” she said.

Despite the mural measuring 110 feet by 21 feet, it only took Gabriel eight weeks to complete the downtown project. Luckily, the elementary teacher was able to work on it during her summer break and was blessed with mild weather. After all the proverbial dust settled, Gabriel said she couldn’t have been more pleased with the results.

“I’m really happy with all the elements on there,” she shared. “And it helped me learn a lot about the community, just doing research on it.”

One of the latest murals to grace Central Texas is the Healing Garden mural at the Baylor Scott & White McLane Children’s Medical Center, painted by Waco artist Debbi Unger.

After meeting with Chanin Wright, director of operations for McLane Children’s Medical Center, who told her what she had in mind, Unger sketched out several designs and presented them to her. Unfortunately, the hospital did not have the budget for the mural, so Lori Luppino, president of the Baylor Scott & White Foundation, decided to contact local philanthropist Allison Dickson to see if she could help raise the money needed for the project.

“I’m always about dreaming big — let’s dream big — and this was definitely our biggest dream yet. Lori said there was a blank wall leading to the Healing Garden and she wanted a mural but didn’t have the money. She asked if I wanted to raise money for the mural,” Dickson explained. “I said, ‘I love it! I think that would brighten the whole atmosphere, not just for the kids, but for their families, for the staff, anyone who would use the Healing Garden for a moment of peace.’”

Dickson said the goal was to raise $15,000, but she was worried that people wouldn’t understand or support the project. Her doubts were for naught, as they ended up raising more than $24,000 — enough to have funds on stand-by for touch-ups for years to come.

Unger created the mural on panels and then installed them on site, which allowed her to work in the comfort of her own studio. Because she didn’t have to worry about the weather, the process took only two months to complete.

“I was very pleased with how the project came out. Because I had painted murals in the hospital before, McLane’s had become very near and dear to my heart,” Unger shared. “It’s a special place. I hope my murals bring a little joy to everyone there.”

Dickson and Unger’s hard work paid off big when the mural was unveiled to the public on June 26.

“I cried when I saw the finished project,” Dickson admitted. “This is what we wanted to do and we did it. It’s more beautiful than I ever imagined.”

Dickson said this project reminded her that, despite so much bad news in the world, goodness and generosity remain a constant force in a community like Central Texas.

“A project like this really shows the hearts of most people. Most people want to help, they want to support good causes. It’s so rewarding to know that I helped organize this,” Dickson shared. “I wish I could say I wrote a big check, but it’s not me, it’s our community. Gifts came in, not just from Temple, but from all over. It really is an affirmation of the goodness of people.”

The murals showcased in Central Texas are a reflection of the community’s rich history and spirit. They tell stories, inspire creativity, contribute to the unique identity of each city, and provide both locals and visitors with a visually appealing and educational experience. As Central Texas continues to grow and evolve, so too will its vibrant mural scene, leaving an indelible mark on the cultural fabric of the region.

ABOUT THE ARTISTS
Rudy Calooy Jr.
Impact Visual Concepts
Phone: 254-681-8425
Email: Impactvisualconcepts@gmail.com

Amber Gabriel
Paint by Amber
Phone: 713-409-2630
Website: paintbyamber.com

Debbi Unger
Debbi Unger Muralist
Social: facebook.com/DebbiUngerMuralist