San Antonio street artist Alan Calvo works on his latest mural depicting Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama. This one is at Gil’s Tire and Wheel, 6239 San Pedro Ave. Credit: Michael Karlis

Local street artist Alan Calvo has unveiled what’s he’s billing as the “largest Wemby mural in San Antonio.”

The commissioned piece, completed Wednesday afternoon, adorns the side of Gil’s Tire and Wheel, 6239 San Pedro Ave. It’s Calvo’s third mural of San Antonio Spurs superstar Victor Wembanyama.

Of note, the mural is Calvo’s first first black-and-white portrayal of the 7-foot-4 player dubbed “The Extraterrestrial.”

“I really like the old-school lowrider pencil drawings like I did as a kid, so that’s where the inspiration comes from,” Calvo said.

Appropriately enough, the tribute to San Antonio’s highest-profile athlete features two lowriders in the background along with local landmarks including the Tower of the Americas and the Tower Life building.

Calvo completed his previous Wemby murals at nightspot Southtown 101, 101 Pereida St., and restaurant Tacos al Carbon Cabron, 6653 San Pedro Ave. He said his portrayal of the hoops phenom has gotten better with each.

However, Wemby is far from the only pop-culture figure to appear in Calvo’s work.

During his decade of doing street art, Calvo has created other iconic and beloved murals, including the depiction of late Tejano singer Selena on the Alamo Candy building at I-10 and Hildebrand Avenue.

His next project, a mural at downtown-area watering hole El Honky Tonk, will feature a cast of female country music performers.

“That mural is going to be all in pink,” Calvo said.

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This article appears in Nov 13-26, 2024.

Michael Karlis is a multimedia journalist at the San Antonio Current, whose coverage in print and on social media focuses on local and state politics. He is a graduate of American University in Washington,...