People from all over South Texas are flocking to a former gas station in Kinsgville to get a glimpse of a unique ground mural of the Virgen de Guadalupe.
Located off East Lee Avenue and North 6 Street, some vistors say the mural is responsible for miracles in their lives.
Texas A&M Kingsville Art Professor Santa Barraza said she and her students teamed up with local artist Daniel Cuellar to bring the mural to life.
The project was recently blessed by a Catholic priest and officially dedicated.
Many people from Kingsville, the Coastal Bend and South Texas have all paid a visit.
"People have come because they feel an affilation with the Virgen de Guadalupe," Barraza said.
Many visitors have shared their stories with Barraza.
One visitor from Ricardo told Barraza that her son had taken his life and that she had lost her faith but it was restored after seeing the mural.
Another girl told Barraza that she saw the mural prayed for her mother who was in jail.
The woman was released from jail the next morning and came with her daughters to help work on the mural.
Elba Rosa De Lopez said her son was one of those helping the the project.
While her son was helping work on the project, Elba prayed for her daughter in Minneapolis, who was sick and also needed And need help resovling a legal problem.
Both problems were fixed, so Elba decided to leave roses at the mural as a form of thanks.
"It was the Virgen de Guadalupe," the Kingsville woman said in Spanish.
But Barraza said that the mural is more than just a power religous symbol.
"I use the Virgen de Guadalupe in my work but i use it mostly as an empowerment symbol, mainly for women... to empoower women," Barraz said.
Barraza said the next step is to apply a sealent and make the mural permanent and protect from the elements.
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