A local artist has restored a mural honoring the 150th birthday of Taylor after vandals last week defaced the artwork with anti-data center messages.
Taylor police Monday, July 27, said no arrests have been reported in the incident. Anyone with information on the case can call 512-352-5551.
The mural in Potter’s Alley was damaged sometime between July 19-July 20 and just hours after completion by world-renowned artist Gabriel Alapinta of Chile.
But days later, local artist Cody Seigmund restored Alapinta’s work.
“It is unfortunate that someone chose to disrespect the beautiful artwork that was donated to the community,” said Daniel Seguin, Taylor’s executive director of community services. “We are proud of the work to restore the mural by some of our local artists. It is beautiful when a community comes together for the benefit of all.”
According to Taylor officials, Linea de Vida Church approached the city with a proposal to donate a mural for Potter’s Alley, located in a downtown Taylor alley between Second and Third streets and behind the McCrory Timmerman Building, to honor Taylor’s sesquicentennial.
Once the proposal was sent, the Public Arts Advisory Board approved the mural, which was done by Alapinta July 18-19.
Sometime over the next two days, someone spray-painted the words “We want a park” and “(expletive) your data center.”
While attempts to remove the words from the mural were not successful, Seigmund was able to restore the painting to its original look July 22, officials said.
The founder of a coalition that wants a pause on data center development in Taylor said both the mural and the messages left on it are forms of communication.
“The mural is communicating something on behalf of the city and arts board,” said Carrie D’Anna of Halt Taylor Data Centers. “We elevate the culture of street art, and it’s always been a way of communicating. What you have on that wall is a conversation between people.”
Halt is opposed to plans to build Blueprint Projects Data Center on an 87-acre tract in south Taylor, which neighbors contend was intended for a park.
The coalition has filed a legal action with the 3rd Court of Appeals asking the justices to order Taylor officials to put zoning controls on the Nov. 3 ballot, which Taylor leaders say violates state law.
Instead, the City Council initially wanted to solicit public input and vote on data center zoning ordinances in September, but the action is paused until the legal battle plays out.
