The Heartbeat

of Austin

Video by Lynae Carroll

200+

COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS

100,000+

TILES

600+

SQUARE FEET

This mosaic is a testament to Austin FC fans and supporter groups' incredible passion and collective power, showcasing their unwavering dedication to the music and service to the Austin community. It is also CapMetro’s largest public art in transit installation to date, and the largest pixelated glass mural in Texas.

In just under six weeks, over 200 volunteers from these groups and more helped place the tiles which would create this monumental 80-foot-long mosaic mural. Their electrifying and collaborative spirit is both the inspiration behind this mosaic and what made it possible in record time.

Meet the Stars of the Mural

Dani Mackenna

LA MURGA
When Dani isn’t at Q2 wailing on her bombo, being a photographer around town, or managing La Murga’s social media, she focus on mental health advocacy in the Austin community. She believes that we are not alone and that it’s okay not to be okay.
Learn about her bombo drum “Jeremiah”
Reference photo by Duc Minh Tran
Gabriela Navarro

LOS VERDES, LA MURGA
Gabriela was born in Austin, TX but only lived here roughly 7 years ago. Coming from a small town in KS to this beautiful and vibrant city where she knew no one except her family, La Murga de Austin quickly became her best friends and new family. Gabriela helped create Los Verdes ATX and La Murga de Austin, and was chosen to lead as President of Los Verdes ATX. She is still today a snare player of La Murga de Austin. Her passion for the colors, chants, and people will forever be embedded in the Austin FC soccer culture.
Photo by Duc Minh Tran
Ricky Diaz aka Quesadilla

LOS VERDES
Ricky Diaz, or Quesadilla, started following Austin FC way back when it was still the MLS2ATX movement. He shared all of his thoughts and ideas about the potential of a team at the dinner table with his family. It’s been a blur for Ricky, seeing all of it come to life and being able to share it with his brothers. Through Austin FC, he has been a part of some of the greatest communities such as Paprika FC and Los Verdes. Match days are that much better when you’re surrounded by thousands of friendly faces. VHLM!
Photo by Katie Ensign
Ernie

CAPMETRO
Born in Bakersfield, California, Ernie moved to Austin in 2008 and has been a CapMetro employee for seven years. He loves getting to know his passengers, who they are, and them getting to know him. Outside of work, he DJs, BBQs and is a fan of Austin FC. Listos verdes!
Reference photo courtesy of CapMetro
Fatima

LA MURGA
Fatima started her capo journey at just 6 years old during the early Austin Bold days with the supporters’ group La Cinco12. When Austin FC came about, she began working with La Murga de Austin shadowing the adults, sharing the stand, and becoming La Murga’s youngest capo. She is now a confident 11-year-old who holds her own in the stand, chanting with the entire Supporters section.
Photo by Nico Loayza
Gina Gatto

LOS VERDES
Gina Gatto is a capo for La Murga de Austin. She joined LMDA in 2023 and quickly found that one of the places she feels most connected with herself is on the capo stand vibing all together in the south end supporting Austin FC. Soccer became a huge passion in her life at 4 years old and it’ll probably never let her out of its grasp. Outside of supporting the beautiful game, Gina is a film producer, life coach, and classically trained comedian living in East Austin with her amazing sidekick cat, Tim Riggins.
Photo by Zach Lyons
Kolita "Koko" Snowden

CAPMETRO
Koko has worked at CapMetro for 24 years. She started at the U.T. Shuttle with Dottie Watkins on Johnny Morris before going over to FRS on 5th/Pleasant Valley. Koko enjoys her job and the people she gets to interact with every day. She feels blessed to be part of the CapMetro family.
Reference photo courtesy of CapMetro
Zaira Perez

LA CINCO12, LA MURGA
Zaira Perez is a proud surdo player with La Cinco12 and La Murga de Austin. Originally from San Luis Potosi, Mexico, she’s been grooving in Austin since she was 4 years old. Zaira’s three soccer-crazed brothers have been her biggest influencers and supporters, fueling her passion for soccer. Joining La Murga de Austin transformed her from a flag-waving newbie to a surdo player despite having zero musical background. Zaira believes that being part of this crew isn't just about making music; it's about sharing unforgettable moments and celebrating our collective love and passion for soccer.
Photo by Katie Ensign

Keeping it Glassy

Inspiration

All inspiration photos are by Zach Lyons

The inspiration for this project lies in the intense energy and enthusiasm I experienced upon going to my first-ever Austin FC game. Standing and cheering with the supporter groups for the entire 90 minutes, I immediately felt the strength and the devotion these groups hold for each other and the team. It was enlivening, and I wanted to carry that mood through to the design for the new McKalla Station being right next to Q2 stadium.

The spirit of Austin to me is really the creativity in our community, expressed as people come together through music and art to make change, celebrating and uplifting one another, being joyful, and generally just making a lot of noise! I felt that La Murga, CollecTifo, Los Verdes, and many other supporter groups represented that ethos of Austin that I love, and rallying around that idea with a logical tie in to Austin FC felt perfect for the mural at this location.

Music, dance, art, and serving the community… This is The Heartbeat of Austin.

Design

The design collages together various photos of these community leaders and everyday individuals, selected first and foremost for their dynamic poses and mood, to create an energetic collage that reflects the passion and spirit expressed through music, art and sport. The background references Mexican serape blanket patterns and represents the interwoven narrative throughout this project and the diversity of our city, creating a quilt-like effect — a thread becomes the blanket in the same way that an individual becomes the team or a tile becomes the mosaic.

Community Workdays

All community workday photos are by Tony Moreno

These lively workdays brought in hundreds of dedicated community members and Austin FC supporter group participants to our studio to help lay 3/4in vitreous glass tiles in small sections, similar to a color by numbers, referring to our prepared design templates. These square foot sections were held together using strong mosaic tape and later brought to McKalla Station for installation.

Installation

All installation photos by Daichi Nishimura

Thinset

Once the concrete wall was sufficiently prepared and thin Schluter system framing installed, the mosaic sections are carefully adhered to the wall using a thin layer of Laticrete Platinum 254 thin set mortar. After curing, the tape is removed as the tiles are firmly secured to the wall.

Grout

Then, Permacolor grout is used to fill in the gaps between the tiles, which is the final step in strengthening the mosaic. Grouting creates a smooth surface, a waterproof barrier, and better reinforcement between the tiles. Never needing sealing, this grout can be tinted as shown to blend in better and further complement the tile colors.

Clean Up

Lastly, the mosaic surface is cleaned with a rag to remove any excess grout haze and to polish the tiles. Any excess thin set or grout is sanded down to ensure there are no imperfections throughout the entire installation.

Engineering News-Record recognized this project, granting it an Award of Merit in the Airport/Transit category. Huge thanks to Stacy Witbeck and the whole construction team who provided such a beautiful setting for this mosaic mural!