Llano River Watershed Alliance

Downtown Junction is getting a new mural!

Submitted by Martha Richardson

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Community members in the Llano River Watershed Alliance (LRWA) and Junction Texas Tourism Board (JTTB) are working on plans for a new mural in downtown Junction that showcases Junction and Kimble County’s various connections to water. This mural will be part of a statewide campaign, Texas Runs on Water, that aims to address the state’s growing water supply needs by spurring action and conversation around water. 

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“The importance of water can be seen and felt all around Junction and Kimble County,” says Llano River Watershed Alliance President, Linda Fawcett.  “Kimble County is sometimes called The Land of Living Waters because of all the water that runs through our region, including the beautiful South Llano River that runs through Junction. The river is our drinking water supply, a source for irrigation, and a place to recreate.”

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To organize this mural, the mural committee has joined forces with the Hill Country Alliance (HCA), a nonprofit that works with local partners to protect the clean waters, starry night skies, and open spaces of the Hill Country. This mural will be the first of its kind in the Hill Country, and Hill Country Alliance hopes it inspires murals like Junction’s around the Hill Country. 

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“Because water is so local, and people’s relationships to water so personal, it was hugely important that this mural project be led by local Junction residents,” says HCA’s Water Program Manager, Marisa Bruno. “This effort wouldn’t be possible without the ideas, support, and action of community members.”

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The mural is slated for completion in April and will be painted on the side of the Meals on Wheels Thrift Shoppe on Main Street. For technical support and artist recruitment, the mural committee is partnering with Big Seed, a Kerrville-based nonprofit that provides a medium for creative young people throughout the Texas Hill Country to explore and develop their artistic passion. Big Seed will provide the artist coaching and mural expertise to bring the mural designs to life.

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Significantly, the ideas for the mural will come from within the community. The mural committee is partnering with Junction High School to get input and inspiration from students. Additionally, the mural committee welcomes ideas from the community.

If there is anything that you feel should be reflected in the new mural, from the local windmill to native flowers that rely on water to thrive, please send your ideas to lrwatx@gmail.com.