City worker brings a fresh coat of paint to Amarillo

AMARILLO, Texas (KAMR/KCIT) – The City of Amarillo is highlighting an Amarillo native who has created several murals in and around city facilities.

Niara Torres is an Amarillo native who joined the City of Amarillo Parks and Recreation Department as a lifeguard at Southeast Pool, where she would hang out as a child and would turn it into a work of art.

According to city officials, Torres had a passion for art and had a chance to turn her childhood hangout into a mural she painted.

“I live two miles away (from Southeast Pool),” said Torres in a press release. “I came here when I was a baby. Coming here and then working here also – I love this place, and it has many fond memories. Being able to paint a place that I grew up in is a dream.”

Officials state the 60-year-old Southeast Pool now features a colorful mural that welcomes visitors. Torres has also worked on three murals for the Warford Activity Center, including large, colorful murals in the basketball gym and lobby.

“I love painting murals to inspire kids,” Torres said. “When I was painting the murals at Warford, kids were walking by gasping in awe. To be able to inspire even one kid to create art and know that they can do it professionally melts my heart.”

Torres started working on art when she was in high school, working for Blank Spaces Murals, according to city officials. Torres contributed to creating murals throughout the city of Amarillo.

“Blank Spaces definitely brought me into the world of muraling. I realized that I could do this professionally. I’m really thankful that I got to experience Blank Spaces and have an opportunity to grow as an artist,” Torres said.

Officials state Torres will continue her art career as she attends the University of Texas at Austin, pursuing a degree in art.

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