Downtown Commerce Gets an Update

The walls of downtown Commerce are getting an update with three new murals set to be painted this summer. In partnership with the Dr.Pepper Corporation, Texas A&M University-Commerce, and the City of Commerce tourism and event coordinator Sherry Johnson, the first mural is currently underway across from city hall.

A&M-Commerce art students, both undergraduate and graduate, are painting the murals thanks to the creation of special art courses, ART 497 and ART 597 taught by Ashley Bryan. Dr. Joseph Daun, Director of the Art Department, requested the courses’ addition to the summer schedule after learning about the need for painters for the project.

Commerce businessman, Kenneth Parker, donated the building being used for the current mural and Dr. Pepper paid for all supplies needed to complete this project. As part of the agreement, none of the murals can be painted over for at least 10 years.