Mayra Zamora, a local, award-winning artist, muralist, and educator reminisces about the early days when she discovered her love for drawing, and mentions that for her, art wasn’t just a mental escape; it was a passion that shaped her identity.  

“I was born to be an artist,” says Mayra. “Since I can remember, I was always drawing, and art was my favorite subject in school.  Art was not only a mental escape, but I truly loved art in general.”  

It wasn’t just her talent, though. Mayra credits much of her artistic genesis to Mr. Garza, her art teacher from kindergarten to senior year. He played the role of a personal art coach, fostering her potential and informing her parents of the budding talent within their daughter. Under Mr. Garza's guidance, Mayra explored various mediums, experimented with artistic expressions, and borrowed art supplies. This mentorship paved the way for her artistic journey. 

Mayra's artistic versatility is showcased in her fondness for both painting and drawing. As she puts it, "I am married to painting, but drawing is my mistress." Acrylic paint is her preferred medium, chosen for its rapid drying process, but she also loves a good drawing session with pencils and pens. 

With an inspiration deeply rooted in her Mexican heritage and a dedication to the fundamentals of art, her work reflects a devotion to Line, Shape, and Color, intertwined with Mexican American iconography. Drawing from Pre-Columbian and Modern Art, her creations explode in a kaleidoscope of color, and as a little-known fact, Mayra embeds black and white codices within her solo murals, inviting viewers to decipher hidden messages and elevating the art-viewing experience. She endeavors to bring Chicano and Latino culture to the forefront, whether through murals, food, music, or other art forms.

For Mayra, the city is a treasure trove of artisan talent waiting to be discovered - “I feel so incredibly honored to represent my city,” she says. “I want the world to know about the amazing artisan community Corpus Christi has to offer and the beautiful creative renaissance the city is in.” 

Mayra and her artistic partner, Monica Marie Garcia, also known as the “Iconic Duo,” have many projects in the works. Currently, they are collaborating on three murals for TAMUCC, Sound Vibrations, and La Palmera in partnership with K Space Contemporary. In their ongoing commitment to enriching the visual landscape of Corpus Christi, these two incredible artists have their sights set on more projects in the future.

Mayra’s artistic journey is a testament to the transformative power of passion, mentorship, and a relentless pursuit of one's dreams. As her art continues to color the canvas of Corpus Christi, she stands as a beacon of inspiration for artists and art enthusiasts alike. 

To anyone beginning their creative journey, Mayra offers sage advice:  “Ask yourself if being an artist is the right path for you. Being an artist is fun, but comes with a lot of self-motivation, trial and error, and financial hardships.  Find ways to showcase your artwork on social media, galleries, network, and sell merchandise. Create art for yourself and do not give up. Remember, dreams are simply goals.” 

More about Mayra’s art:  
Her art has been featured in exhibitions across the United States in New York City, Los Angeles, Miami, and many other cities. Zamora has created murals for Stripes Convenience Stores, the Art Center of Corpus Christi, K Space Contemporary, Law offices of Hermann and Herman, the Made in Corpus Christi and Milestone’s building, and many others. 

In addition to her impressive career as an artist, Zamora also works as an Education Specialist for the Early Childhood Development Center and an Art Instructor for K Space Contemporary.  

Learn more about Mayra and her fantastic work: 

Instagram @MiraMayraArt  
Email: miramayraart@yahoo.com 
Online: www.miramayraart.com