Downtown Garland has become an open-air gallery of Mexican folk art, with larger-than-life alebrijes on display from 8 October 2026 until 29 March 2027.
The free exhibition, titled Alebrijes: A Dreamworld in Downtown Garland, features brightly coloured fantasy creatures created by master artisans from Mexico City. The sculptures combine elements of animals, mythology and dreams through the traditional Mexican art of cartonerÃa, a papier-mâché technique.
Among the largest works are a 14ft three-headed dragon named Bicefalo, a 12ft seahorse with tentacles called L’aquarium, a bear named Osita Emilia and Patapez, a fish with feet. Smaller spirit animals have also been placed around Downtown Garland Square.
Visit Garland said the exhibition was designed to bring public art and Mexican cultural heritage into the heart of the city, allowing visitors to explore the works while moving through the downtown area.
The display is free and open to the public. Visitors can collect a sculpture guide from the Garland Visitor Centre, at 501 W State Street, to help locate the individual pieces and learn more about the artists behind them.
A series of guided tours will take place on Thursdays in November, apart from Thanksgiving, with tours at 5.30pm and 7pm. The organisers are also running a Downtown Garland LoterÃa trail, in which participants can complete 12 activities inspired by the exhibition for the chance to win a prize.
The wider programme includes a free children’s workshop at Garland Central Library on 20 October, where those aged 17 and under can create their own alebrije-inspired mythical creature using air-dry clay and paint.
