A Deep Ellum Foundation public art initiative

New Growth

Fresh perspectives. Creative roots. Room to grow.

New Growth brings artists’ interpretations of renewal, transformation, and community to Deep Ellum’s streetlight banners. The series turns everyday streets into a place to encounter original artwork and discover the people who create it.

Explore the artwork ↓More DEF arts & culture initiatives →
A worker installing a colorful New Growth streetlight banner in Deep Ellum.
Bringing New Growth artwork to the streets of Deep Ellum.

About the initiative

Making space for creative expression.

Through New Growth, the Deep Ellum Foundation brings local artists’ work into shared public spaces. The banner series gives individual creative voices a visible platform while adding color, character, and opportunities for discovery throughout the neighborhood.

The artists approach growth in different ways: caring for ourselves, supporting one another, finding balance, and carrying Deep Ellum’s creative roots into the future. Together, their work reflects a community shaped by many perspectives.

Supporting the people behind the artwork.
New Growth is part of DEF’s ongoing work with local creative communities—connecting people with artists, sharing their stories, and making art part of everyday life in Deep Ellum.

  • Colorful illustration of a tiger with a playful design, surrounded by pink, blue, yellow, and purple decorative elements, with the words 'BEER PLUM' prominently displayed.

    Tyson Summers

    “My idea is to use my Fritz the owl and fade him into some new fresh work I've designed.”

  • A colorful illustration featuring a large human heart with flowers blooming from it, accompanied by butterflies and a bird. A hand is watering the heart from a watering can, with the text 'Deep Elm' and 'Est. 1973' at the top.

    Marcos Alvarado

    “Water Heart” – This artwork embodies the importance of self-care. In the fast pace of daily life, we often neglect our mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. This piece serves as a reminder to nurture oneself, fostering inner growth and balance.

  • Colorful comic-style illustration with a Treble clef and a heart inside a chaotic scene of musical symbols and abstract shapes, with a smiling gray face at the bottom.

    Amy Sherman

    “This design is a tribute to Deep Ellum’s legacy and its ongoing evolution. It is an ode to the artists, musicians, and dreamers who keep its creative roots alive, ensuring that new generations continue to thrive within its ever-growing branches.”

  • Line drawing of a woman with flowing hair, back arched, hand near face, surrounded by floral pattern, with stylized text that reads 'Dearly Beloved' at the bottom.

    Benjamin Wright Coleman

    “In my pieces I am attempting to display the edgy roughness that I associate with Deep Ellum (the part of it that I love the most) and juxtapose that with the delicate. With the new growth theme I'm using a floral pattern that I hand drew and digitally repeated. The woman is being overwhelmed or consumed by this new growth. I kept her pencil linework both rigid and soft and textured.”

  • Colorful drawing of two potted plants with roots spelling 'Texas,' decorated with flowers, watering cans, and two human silhouettes reaching out to each other, with a heart in the middle.

    Marcos Alvarado

     “Help Each Other Grow” – Beyond self-care, this artwork speaks to the power of community. It portrays two interconnected souls—whether romantic or platonic—nurturing one another, emphasizing that growth flourishes through mutual support and shared strength.

  • Vivid, neon-colored floral artwork with large, detailed flowers including a daisy, poppy, and irises against striped background with the words "Deep Summer est. 1873."

    Molly Frisby

    “This piece reflects the energy, diversity, and constant evolution of Deep Ellum. The bold, electric colors mirror the district’s vibrant spirit—its music, murals, and creative pulse—while also symbolizing transformation and growth.”

  • Illustration of musical instruments including an electric guitar, acoustic guitar, piano, bass, and drum, surrounded by flowers, butterflies, and musical notes with the text 'Deep Ellum' at the top.

    Jeremie Fletcher

    “I feel that my design embraces the spirit of Deep Ellum.”

  • A stylized, abstract digital illustration of a contemplative dog with droopy ears and expressive eyes, surrounded by a colorful, artistic background with purple and blue hues. The words "Deep Ellum Est 1833" are subtly overlaid on the image.

    Lashonda Cooks

    “This piece is named "Bloom". The figure's hair contains different flowers, each with specific meanings: bluestar for strength, determination and endurance, blazing star for joy, happiness and blissfulness, alyssum for worth beyond beauty, bluebells for kindness and chrysanthemum for honesty.”

  • A colorful painting featuring orange swirls, red hibiscus flowers, and green leaves on a bright blue background with the text 'Deep Ellum Est. 1873'.

    Mikayla Magee

    “This banner design represents both Deep Ellum and pivotal moments in my artistic journey with themes of growth and transformation. Capturing the energy of my first ever live painting experience that  happened in Deep Ellum, symbolizing creative flow and ease. ”

  • Colorful drawing of a tree with green leaves and a brown trunk, set against a scenic background with mountains, a rising sun, and a crescent moon, featuring the phrase 'Deep Elm' and 'White Elm' with the text 'EST. 1873'.

    Marcos Alvarado

     “Day & Night” – Representing the harmony of opposites, this artwork highlights the necessity of balance in life. The mirrored trees symbolize seasonal change—spring’s renewal versus winter’s dormancy—while also nodding to Deep Ellum’s vibrant nightlife. The piece reinforces the idea that light and darkness coexist, each essential to the other.