Creators of Public Art Need More Than Recognition

By ORION BAKER/Staff Writer

The art scene in Tyler is growing. With murals, exhibitions and art installations, Tyler is becoming a cultural hub of creativity. Yet, while art is benefiting the city, artists who do the work feel underrepresented and underpaid for their contributions.

Public murals like the Hillside Park Art Wall, which started in 2019, and Art Alley, which started in 2021, have helped the art scene grow exponentially and make Tyler stand out as a creative center.

“You see people take photos, art being in commercials and magazines, the culture has flourished,” The Main Street Director/Gallery Main Street Curator Amber Varona, said, “We have had strong success stories out of Tyler, with artists using their work here as a portfolio to get more commissions and work elsewhere.”

Mayor Don Warren praised the contributions of art to the city’s culture.

“The power of art and the power of expression is so important to people,” he said. “And what Amber said about the art, you’re seeing a real culture grow.”

While this is good for the city, what about the artists? How do they feel?

Although the art scene has flourished, local artists still face significant challenges. One of the most pressing issues is lack of financial support.

Contributing to some public murals and installations leaves artists in a difficult position. They donate their time and talents without receiving appropriate compensation.

“While participating in events like Art Alley and others like that, I wasn’t compensated for my work,” Carina Alvarado, a local artist, said. “And as an artist, you know it’s not fun.”

Local artist and creative Dphill Good agrees.

“I, for example, put all of this work in a painting for the city and don’t get reimbursed,” he said. “Then I need to figure out how I am going to put food on the table that night for my family,”

Good said getting properly paid to do work is one of the most important aspects of being an artist.

“While the city will provide the materials for me to create a painting for them, I don’t get reimbursed for the painting,” Good said.

Artists like Good and Alvarado need funding to not only live but to continue to be able to make their art.

Good said making art is who he is and what he does.

“My heart guides all of my work,” he said, “I follow my heart to create what I do, no matter what. Ever since I was young, I followed my heart and here I am now.”

As Tyler grows as a hub for creativity, the city’s next steps should be to up the ante by making artists feel more represented and pay them appropriately for their contributions to public art.

Varona says that the city plans on making an art district, where artists of different mediums, like painting, music and theater, can come together to make art in their own ways.

As for the artists, their next steps need to be to continue following their hearts.

Check out both Good and Alvarado on social media! Good’s Instagram is @dphillgoodoriginals and Alvarado’s handle is @c_0_a_. Visit the Tyler Visitor Center at 110 N. College Ave. for guides to art in Tyler and check out the public murals in Art Alley, 200 W. Erwin St.