A Fresh Spin on Jesus Alba's Mural Revival in Dallas
Dallas artist revamps Jefferson Boulevard's historic mural in celebration of Cinco de Mayo
Step right up to the vibrant stretch of Jefferson Boulevard in Oak Cliff, where Dallas artist Jesus Alba has breathed new life into a treasured mural, just in time for the upcoming Cinco de Mayo festivities!
Originally intended to honor the pivotal Battle of Puebla, this mural serves as a colorful testament to Mexican triumph and the intricate tapestry of Mexican heritage. As parade-goers celebrate Cinco de Mayo in the lively Bishop Arts district, they are greeted with a lively reminder of the community's deep cultural roots.
Chosen to reinvigorate the piece by the Oak Cliff Coalition for the Arts, Alba was picked for his exceptional talent and unwavering dedication to the community. Silvana Avila Alonzo, the coalition's founder, stated, "This is a reflection of not only artistic excellence but also our community's pride and heritage" [1].
Expertly blending ancient mythology with contemporary life, Alba skillfully crafted the symbolic 20-foot-long artwork now adorning the side of Jerry's Supermarket. The piece features Aztec warriors dancing in unison, symbolizing the ability to maintain tradition while embracing the modern world. The Texas and Mexico flags merge, their stripes intertwining as a symbol of unity, while lowriders and the Dallas skyline represent the evolving culture and identity of the city.
Alba, who spent countless weekends exploring Jefferson Boulevard as a child, sought to preserve the mural's original essence while adding personal touches to the piece. By incorporating a battle scene, he emphasizes the historical significance of the holiday [2].
With the restoration taking only four days, Alba has now added this masterpiece to the impressive collection of his murals that can be found throughout the city. The artist hopes that his work will inspire others to find their own passion and make a difference in their community. He exclaimed, "Art is a powerful tool for change, and I am just honored to be a part of it" [2].
This captivating piece is brought to you by Arts Access, a community-focused arts journalism initiative powered by The Dallas Morning News and KERA. Funding for this project is generously provided by the Better Together Fund, Carol & Don Glendenning, City of Dallas OAC, The University of Texas at Dallas, Communities Foundation of Texas, The Dallas Foundation, Eugene McDermott Foundation, James & Gayle Halperin Foundation, Jennifer & Peter Altabef, and The Meadows Foundation. The News and KERA maintain full editorial control over the journalism produced by Arts Access.
[1] Oak Cliff Coalition for the Arts. (2025). Press Release: Jesus Alba's Mural Restoration in Dallas' Oak Cliff Neighborhood. Retrieved from artscoalition.org/press-release-jesus-alba-mural-restoration-dallas-oak-cliff-neighborhood/[2] Smith, L. (2025). Art Access: Jesus Alba Brings His Talents to Jerry's Supermarket Mural. The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved from dallasnews.com/artsaccess/2025/04/15/art-access-jesus-alba-brings-his-talents-to-jerrys-supermarket-mural
- Art Access, a community-focused journalism initiative, has reported on Jesus Alba's installation of a vibrant mural in Dallas' Oak Cliff neighborhood, just in time for the community's upcoming Cinco de Mayo celebrations.
- The mural, located on Jefferson Boulevard, portrays Mexican heritage and cultural roots via a blended mix of ancient mythology and contemporary lifestyle, with Aztec warriors dancing and lowriders and the Dallas skyline representation.
- Alonzo, the founder of the Oak Cliff Coalition for the Arts, stated that the restorative work reflects both artistic excellence and the community's pride and heritage.
- After gaining community acclaim for similar projects, Alba's work on the Puebla-inspired mural serves as a home-and-garden improvement while showcasing the power of art as a tool for change in the community.
