Coachella mural celebrates sister-city status with Mexicali

Efforts to beautify the city with art continue in Coachella, and a new mural celebrating its sister city status with Mexicali shines brightly.

The words Coachella, Mexicali, and images representing the two cities, as well as two joined hands cover the back wall of several businesses in Coachella.

"It's very nice, it's very beautiful, it has a very nice view," said Martin Hernandez, a Coachella resident.

The new public artwork pays homage to the exchange of cultures and traditions between the two towns. In 2015, Coachella and Mexicali became sister-cities.

"Coachella has a great history with Mexicali, we are part of the same desert, we also have farmers, they harvest dates, we harvest dates," said Coachella Mayor Steven Hernandez.

Hernandez says that Mexicali muralist Jorge Alberto Gomez, also known as "Boms," worked for two weeks on the piece. They also worked together with the Mexicali mayor's office to make sure the two municipalities were represented correctly.

"We know that art as it reflects the values and reflects the feeling of the community," Hernandez said.

The mural is located on Grapefruit Street between Hill Drive and 52nd Avenue and is considered one of the largest in the city.

The mural had an estimated budget of $25,000 and was financed with funds dedicated to arts projects in the city.

"It is a fund that comes from the houses that are being built, the people developing these houses pay a percentage and we are using this money to improve our community," Hernandez said.

The message of encouragement is hard to miss. Hernandez hopes it will help trigger a deep sense of pride and unity.

"Here in the city of Coachella, they are valued, because of all their families, all the culture they bring, they are part of our community, we are a very strong brotherhood," Hernandez said.

Hernandez emphasizes that with works like these they are reclaiming their walls to fight graffiti.