^{Photojournalist Jonathan Chumley}

GALVESTON — City leaders, visiting Spanish officials and residents gathered at Menard Park on Sunday to unveil a new mural honoring Bernardo de Gálvez and celebrate Galveston’s cultural partnership with Málaga, Spain.

The mural, created by Málaga artist Eduardo Luque Puertas — known professionally as “Lalone” — was gifted by the City of Málaga through the De Gálvez 250 initiative. The project is part of an international cultural exchange tied to the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States.

The Galveston Loves Málaga event also featured an art market, live music, spoken-word performances, family activities and a preview of the opera Yo Solo, which recognizes Gálvez’s role in the American Revolution.

Mayor John Paul Listowski read a proclamation during the event and said the celebration offered an opportunity to strengthen the connection between the two cities.

“We are celebrating the new mural from Málaga, Spain, with this partnership between Málaga and the City of Galveston and just expanding our culture between the two cities,” Listowski said. “We’re honored to have some dignitaries, the vice mayor of Málaga here with us, and the consul general of Spain from Houston here with us.”

Listowski said the mural also represented Galveston’s continued investment in local art and culture.

“I think Galveston is finally embracing our culture and artists here in town,” he said. “Celebrating that around the world with this mural, I think we’ll be seeing more of that around the community.”

Puertas said the work was intended to symbolize the relationship between Málaga and Galveston.

“It celebrates the connection between Málaga and Galveston, the shared brotherhood in that,” Puertas said.

He said the mural took about 10 days to complete, with weather conditions ranging from sunny to rainy.

Málaga provided the mural design and support for the artist’s travel, fees, lodging and supplies. Galveston coordinated local site preparation, equipment, logistics and the public event.

The Bernardo de Gálvez mural is the second artwork by an international artist installed at Menard Park this year.