-Editorial
A once-ordinary storage container has become a vivid canvas of imagination and memory, thanks to local artist Mia Salinas, who unveiled her mural “Daydream” at the Camarena Memorial Library courtyard on April 14.
Painted in bright pastels and winding dreamscapes, “Daydream” transforms the utilitarian into the magical. The mural, wrapping around the container like a storybook, invites viewers to take a literal walk through the artist’s childhood mind.
“It’s essentially a love letter to my younger self,” Salinas said. “I remember my days very specifically—when I would go into the library and read manga—and I would just really get lost in the books. I remember going back to school and still thinking about that book, essentially daydreaming about that story. Like, it just stayed with me.”
A Calexico High School alumna from the Class of 2017, Salinas spoke to attendees about her inspiration, much of which came from her own time at the Camarena Library — a place that nurtured her love for storytelling and visual art. She recalled borrowing manga with her library card, spending hours caught between the pages of fantasy and science illustrations.
“I used to daydream a lot when I was little. I always loved visual novels and stuff. Hence why I’m so interested in visual arts. I like being able to convey a feeling,” Salinas said.
Those moments of wandering attention laid the groundwork for her love of visual storytelling, a passion she now channels into her freelance art and illustration work. While she currently holds a regular day job, her creative heart beats on the side — taking commissions and crafting characters that speak without words.
Daydream is a visual exploration of fictional storytelling through the eyes of a young student, Salinas explained. The mural, painted across a full-size shipping container, begins with a scene set in a student’s bedroom and unfolds into a vibrant narrative world. Blending artistic and educational elements, the illustration flows through the pages of a book and transitions into a fantasy realm, complete with castles and characters, reflecting the boundless imagination of a child lost in a story.
The Daydream mural is the latest addition to the City of Calexico’s “Art in Public Places” program, and according to Recreation Manager Norma Gerardo, it represents more than just public art—it’s a symbol of community effort and imagination. Speaking at the unveiling, Gerardo shared how the mural came to life through Mural Cycle VIII, an initiative that invited artists to submit proposals in fall 2024. The city received an overwhelming number of submissions from local and regional artists.
A panel made up of Community Services Commission members and arts advocates reviewed the entries and forwarded their recommendations to the City Council, which ultimately selected Mia Salinas’ proposal for its artistic quality and meaningful message. “The concept for Daydream stood out not only for its artistic merit but for the message it conveys—one of imagination and innocence,” Gerardo said. She credited the collaboration between city staff, volunteers, and Salinas for making the project possible.
