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Ai Houston Student & Grad Help Create New Houston Astros Mural

On May 31, 2018, the Houston Astros unveiled the new in-stadium Street Art Display, presented by PPG Paints, located in Home Run Alley near center field. The Astros Street Art Display allows the team to bring some of Houston's amazing local artistry into the ballpark, and this time one of our students and one of our grads played a role in creating the mural on display.

The 2018 mural was designed and painted by Alex Roman Jr. of Donkeeboy Art, along with The Art Institute of Houston 2017 Bachelor of Science in Graphic & Web Design graduate La'Toya Smith and current student Kelly Ledezma. The finished mural represents the story of the team and city from past to present, as well as pays homage to local street art found throughout Houston.

“When I found out that I was going to be working with the Astros, I was so stoked,” said Kelly, later adding, “Art has really given me life. It’s gotten me out of a lot of dark places. Now being with The Art Institutes and being on this major project, I just can’t wait to keep going with my passion.”

La’Toya was equally amped about her role in the project. “I am a recent graduate and I’ve been an artist for many years, [but] I’ve never been able to have the opportunity to work on a project of this magnitude with someone like The Astros and an artist who is as established as Donkeeboy.”

Check out the two-part video series below:

Learn more about the artists and the new mural at https://www.mlb.com/astros/fans/art/.

*Photos and videos courtesy of The Houston Astros Organization