On the exterior of the Frisco Discovery Center, a towering new mural is turning heads in the best way possible. Spanning 40 feet tall and 65 feet wide, the piece is the largest solo project to date for Dallas-based muralist Alec DeJesus.
Commissioned by the city of Frisco, the mural will serve as a striking visual landmark for both residents and visitors. “This mural also shows the world my capabilities as an artist,” DeJesus tells Local Profile.
A Tribute to Texas
The mural at 8004 Dallas Pkwy, Frisco, is rooted in the natural world, specifically the plants and animals of Texas. Prickly pear cactus, bluebonnets and sunflowers bloom across the surface, alongside a great blue heron and a black bear, each selected with intention and symbolism.
“The bear has always been a significant symbol in my work and I chose it for this piece to tell a story of an animal making its comeback in Texas,” says DeJesus. “It serves as a symbol of my own journey here as an artist and a father. Black bears have been making a steady resurgence in Texas and much like me, we are thriving here. My son’s middle name is Bear and he was a main inspiration in picking the bear to anchor this mural.”
Freehanded and Fueled by Passion
What makes the mural even more impressive is that DeJesus is painting it entirely freehand — no stencils, no projections, just instinct and experience.
“When I create a mural, it’s like my gift to the area it’s in,” he says. “Once it’s finished, it’s the public’s to enjoy, and I’m grateful to be a part of it.”…