Alilscribble for The Local

The Local is a multifamily student housing property in San Marcos, TX, serving residents connected to Texas State University. When the existing lobby wallpaper failed to represent the property or its resident community, Greystar engaged WXLLSPACE to commission a replacement piece that would do both. WXLLSPACE sourced Alilscribble, a San Marcos-based artist and Texas State alumna, who painted a 348 SQFT lobby mural depicting the university's iconic fighting stallion statue. Delivered across four production days from January 31 to February 3, 2026, the installation transformed a flat, unmemorable entry wall into a community landmark that speaks directly to the students who live there.

Greystar's team at The Local had identified the lobby entrance as a high-visibility opportunity to strengthen the property's connection to the Texas State University community. The existing wallpaper was not achieving that. It did not reflect the local identity, did not resonate with a student resident demographic, and did not position the property as a place students actively wanted to be.

The goal was clear: commission original artwork that represented Texas State University's impact on San Marcos and would feel immediately familiar to current and prospective residents. What was less clear at the outset were the site conditions that would shape how the project was actually executed.

Surface discovery

The project intake identified the wall as a standard paintable surface. When the WXLLSPACE team arrived, the wall was covered in wallpaper rather than paint. This required coordinating a prep crew to remove the wallpaper, repair the underlying drywall, and prime the surface before the artist could begin. This was an unplanned scope addition that introduced both cost and schedule implications, which were resolved directly with the client before production started.

Ice storm delay

Dangerous winter ice storms moved through Texas in January 2026, making it unsafe to travel and operate on-site. The install window was delayed accordingly. WXLLSPACE rescheduled in coordination with artist Alilscribble and the on-site property team, protecting the integrity of the production timeline once conditions cleared.

Design revision rounds

Standard WXLLSPACE projects include three design revisions. The Local required four. The additional revision was handled per the agreed project terms, with the extra round communicated and approved by Greystar before production continued. The extended design process pushed the install start date beyond the initial target, but did not affect the final four-day production run.

Access and environment

The project was an indoor lobby installation with no environmental exposure concerns. On-site staff at The Local provided efficient access from the outset, including a dedicated key fob that allowed the artist to enter the workspace outside of leasing office hours. No safety, PPE, or structural access constraints were reported.

WXLLSPACE managed every phase of this commission as Greystar's end-to-end partner, from initial artist sourcing through production closeout. Greystar had no internal art director on this project. WXLLSPACE filled that role throughout.

Site intake and artist sourcing

WXLLSPACE conducted a remote site review to capture wall dimensions, surface specifications, and access requirements. The initial artist presented to the client was not selected. WXLLSPACE then identified Alilscribble from the artist network as a stronger fit for the project based on her style, local presence in San Marcos, and connection to Texas State University as an alumna. Alilscribble was presented to Greystar and approved for the commission.

Compliance and agreements

Artist agreements were executed with both Alilscribble and her on-site assistant before production began. Required compliance documentation included a W9, certificate of insurance (COI) for both the artist and assistant, and a scissor lift operation certification. No municipal mural permit was required for this installation.

Concept development and revisions

Following agreement execution, Greystar provided WXLLSPACE and the artist with the creative direction for the piece. Alilscribble developed an initial concept within one week. The design went through four rounds of revision before reaching final approval. Standard projects include three revisions; the fourth revision was applied per the agreed project terms. Final approval was secured from Greystar before production began.

Wall preparation

Upon arrival at the site, the WXLLSPACE team identified that the wall surface was wallpaper rather than the paintable surface described in the initial intake. WXLLSPACE coordinated a prep crew to remove the wallpaper, repair the drywall, and prime the surface. This scope addition was communicated to the client and the associated cost was covered by Greystar retroactively.

Stakeholder coordination

Primary on-site contacts were the Community Manager, Leasing Manager, and Head of Maintenance at The Local. All three were described as cooperative and responsive throughout production. The Head of Maintenance served as the primary point of contact for building access, utilities, and workspace logistics. On-site staff created a dedicated key fob granting the artist access to the workspace outside of leasing office hours, eliminating wait time at the start of each production day.

Crew and equipment

Alilscribble led the installation with one on-site assistant. Access to the 19-foot wall was provided by an electric scissor lift rented from Equipment Share. The indoor environment required no weather protection, staging coordination, or street access. All work was conducted within the lobby, with the building's existing lighting and natural light from lobby windows serving as the working light source.

Production log

1. January 31, 2026: Production begins. Artist and assistant arrive at 9:00 AM. Daily working hours run through 7:00 PM. Wall prep is confirmed complete. Scissor lift is positioned and tested.
2. February 1, 2026: Field painting progresses. WXLLSPACE Production Manager conducts daily check-in with photo update request and confirms no on-site issues.
3. February 2, 2026: Detail work continues. WXLLSPACE coordinates stakeholder visibility with on-site property team.
4. February 3, 2026: Mural is completed. Final photos are taken by the artist and submitted to WXLLSPACE, who forwards them to the Greystar team. Client responds with immediate approval.
5. Post-install (date not recorded): Alilscribble returns to site to add her artist signature to the lower corner of the completed mural.

Quality control

The WXLLSPACE Production Manager conducted daily check-ins throughout the install window, collecting photo documentation and confirming on-site conditions. No production issues were reported during the four-day run. Final photo documentation was forwarded to the client on completion day.

Surface discovery

The project intake identified the wall as a standard paintable surface. When the WXLLSPACE team arrived, the wall was covered in wallpaper rather than paint. This required coordinating a prep crew to remove the wallpaper, repair the underlying drywall, and prime the surface before the artist could begin. This was an unplanned scope addition that introduced both cost and schedule implications, which were resolved directly with the client before production started.

Ice storm delay

Dangerous winter ice storms moved through Texas in January 2026, making it unsafe to travel and operate on-site. The install window was delayed accordingly. WXLLSPACE rescheduled in coordination with artist Alilscribble and the on-site property team, protecting the integrity of the production timeline once conditions cleared.

Design revision rounds

Standard WXLLSPACE projects include three design revisions. The Local required four. The additional revision was handled per the agreed project terms, with the extra round communicated and approved by Greystar before production continued. The extended design process pushed the install start date beyond the initial target, but did not affect the final four-day production run.

Access and environment

The project was an indoor lobby installation with no environmental exposure concerns. On-site staff at The Local provided efficient access from the outset, including a dedicated key fob that allowed the artist to enter the workspace outside of leasing office hours. No safety, PPE, or structural access constraints were reported.