Indio native unveils first large-scale public mural celebrating city’s history

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ)  - A new public mural celebrating Indio’s history, culture and festival legacy is now complete at the corner of Avenue 45 and Jackson Street, marking a milestone for local artist Adam Enrique Rodriguez.

“This is my first large-scale public mural in the city of Indio,” Rodriguez said. “I wanted to tell the story of where I come from. This is where I was born and raised, and I have a lot of pride in where I come from.”

He said the mural moves from day to night across the wall, weaving together Indio’s history.

Rodriguez said he incorporated recognizable imagery from the Date Festival to the Coachella Music and Arts Festival.

“I wanted it to be something that everyone in the Valley could kind of see themselves in,” Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez said he was selected from about 30 artists who applied from around the world.

He said his local roots helped shape his vision.

“I grew up here,” Rodriguez said. “I know exactly what my community would want to see and what they would respond to.”

He said the mural took about 3 months to complete, beginning in early November.

“Contributing to where I come from has been paramount for me as an artist,” Rodriguez said. “If I can reach even the students where I grew up and they can drive by and see this and this becomes part of their history too, it’s very important to me.”

A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the mural is scheduled for Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. at the site.