East Austin Mural Honored Civic Leader Roger Taylor Sr.

Community members unveiled a five-story mural dedicated to the longtime local advocate at Seabrook Square II.

Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in African-American

Screen-print poster illustration of a vibrant abstract mural on a tall apartment building, evoking community art in an urban setting. — A new five-story mural was unveiled at the Seabrook Square II development in East Austin to honor the legacy of longtime neighborhood advocate Roger Taylor Sr. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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A new five-story mural has been unveiled in East Austin to celebrate the life and contributions of civic leader Roger Taylor Sr. The artwork adorns the Seabrook Square II development, which serves as permanent supportive housing for 60 individuals.

Why it matters

The mural recognizes Taylor, a U.S. Army veteran who dedicated decades of his life to neighborhood advocacy in East Austin. It serves as a visual tribute to his legacy while marking the completion of a project designed to support the local housing needs of residents.

The mural stands five stories tall and consists of over 70,000 individual glass tiles. It covers a 300-square-foot surface area at the 2210 Pershing Drive location.

The players

Roger Taylor Sr.

He was a U.S. Army veteran and the founder of the J.J. Seabrook Neighborhood Association who served his community for over two decades.

Raasin in the Sun

This organization partners with local groups to execute public art projects and community beautification efforts.

Integral Care

This health organization collaborates on local initiatives to support housing and well-being in the Austin area.

The details

The project was a collaborative effort between the organization Raasin in the Sun and Integral Care, involving dozens of volunteers who installed the tiles by hand. Roger Taylor Sr. is remembered for founding the J.J. Seabrook Neighborhood Association in 1983 and serving as its president for over 20 years following his career with the Veterans Administration.

Roger Taylor Sr. founded the J.J. Seabrook Neighborhood Association on January 2, 1983.
Roger Taylor Sr. retired from the Veterans Administration in 1995.
Roger Taylor Sr. ended his term as association president on January 1, 2004.
The community gathered to celebrate the mural completion on September 18, 2026.
The annual Mosaic Fest is scheduled for the last week of October 2026.

Culture Shift

The installation of the mural reflects a growing trend of using public art to cement the historical legacies of neighborhood leaders in rapidly changing urban environments. By honoring figures like Roger Taylor Sr. at affordable housing sites, communities are prioritizing local heritage amidst ongoing development.

Residents and visitors can now visit the mural at the 2210 Pershing Drive site to engage with local history. The project also highlights the integration of community landmarks into the supportive housing spaces now available for 60 individuals.

The takeaway

Honoring local civic leaders through public art can help maintain a community's unique identity during periods of growth. Residents interested in similar projects can look to community-led partnerships as an effective model for neighborhood improvement.