Local artist celebrates roots & family with Merkel mural

MERKEL, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – A new look is coming to downtown Merkel. Recently, the Merkel Chamber of Commerce, along with a few other investors, undertook a project to revamp an old park in the downtown area.

While all artists take some element of pride in their work, Chera Brooker is one artist whose connection to her hometown is evident in every brushstroke of a very special mural. Also known as Chera Cheney in her hometown of Merkel, Chera is no stranger to this type of challenge as she is known for being the mind behind many local art pieces, including the windmill blade murals present along Interstate-20 on either side of Sweetwater.

For her latest project, Chera has the opportunity to visit her hometown, where she has been tasked with painting a mural for a revitalization project in Mellinger Park, downtown Merkel. She said that this one holds a special place in her heart.

“I’ve been painting murals for about five years, but this one’s definitely the most meaningful. Just getting to come back to my hometown, paint a mural that represents Merkel as a whole. The place I grew up is where I have so many family and friends. It’s just definitely a bucket list mural for sure,” Chera shared.

Since late January 2025, the park has undergone significant changes, including updates such as landscaping, a redesigned gazebo, and a brand-new veterans’ plaza. President of the Merkel Chamber of Commerce, Robbie Hicks, spoke about a special aspect that the Veterans Plaza is bringing to the public.

“We have bricks that represent the Veterans, and as a chamber, we found out that there were 63 men who either fought in the Spanish-American War or the Civil War who were from Merkel. So, we have purchased the bricks to put here in this Veterans park,” Hicks explained.

While Merkel has seen a trend of revitalization for many of the town’s structures, Chera Brooker feels that this particular project is made even more special by the fact that she can have help with the artistry from those who were part of her most cherished memories growing up.

“My dad and my grandfather are artists, and so my dad helps me on all big murals, but my granddad lives in town, so he’ll come down, paint, and contribute to the mural,” Chera said. “He painted a lot of elements on the mural, and it’s just a special moment to just spend time with family.”