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.”
The mural’s bold lines and vibrant palette are designed to stop passersby in their tracks and invite closer reflection. “As an artist, I want to create a piece that creates a sense of 'wow and wonder' when someone sees it,” DeJesus explains. “The imagery and the skill involved grabs the viewer, and the story told in the work keeps them there.”
A Connection to Frisco and Its People
DeJesus’ journey to this wall began with a chance meeting. While installing another mural for a business in Frisco, he was approached by Paige, a member of Play Frisco who had been following his work. They talked, dreamed a little, and soon after, DeJesus was officially commissioned to paint what would become one of the city’s largest public art pieces.
The response has been overwhelmingly positive. “From the kids hollering in awe to the adults asking all sorts of questions, the response has been great,” DeJesus says. “I’m out here painting in the elements and when someone comes by and gives me a little positivity, it goes a really long way in this heat.”
Public Art with Purpose
For DeJesus, murals are more than art, they’re storytelling tools, cultural beacons and community anchors. “Public art has a very important role to play in a growing city,” he says. It's what sets places apart, and it gives cities landmarks and attractions for those that live there and even the people visiting.”
DeJesus hopes his Frisco mural becomes just that, a landmark people connect with. “While I paint, I become connected to the area as well,” he says. “I get to know the regular passersby and the people who work in the area. My hope is that my connection translates universally to everyone that comes in contact with this mural.”
In addition to the Frisco mural, DeJesus is currently working on a donation piece for the Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center, where he also serves on the curatorial committee. Back in his studio, he’s already dreaming up the next big project.
But for now, all eyes are on Frisco, and on a wall that’s quickly becoming something unforgettable.
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