Artist Elvis Tromp Gives San Nicolas Mural a New Lease on Life 12 Years Later
ORANJESTAD — In 2014, Aruban artist Elvis Tromp accepted a commission from the Aruba Tourism Authority (ATA) to create a mural titled Welcome to Sunrise City at the entrance of San Nicolas.
The mission was about much more than painting a wall. The mural was meant to represent hospitality, friendliness and the dedication of the Aruban people to tourism. For Elvis, the project was also a way to give back to the community — a contribution of his talent to an island whose hospitality and friendliness are among the qualities that set Aruba apart in the region.
The idea behind the mural reflected exactly what Aruba is known for. For Elvis, hospitality is something that lives in the people and is part of what helps Aruba grow as a tourist destination.
To create the design, Elvis did not copy an existing image. He started from scratch, working through sketch after sketch until the concept evolved into the mural that is now familiar to visitors and residents at the entrance of San Nicolas.
The mural depicts different aspects of San Nicolas and Aruba. It features the island’s landscape, waterfalls and mountains, tourists exploring with maps in hand, and scenes of hospitality in which locals share their time and experiences with visitors. A sea scene further reinforces the connection between Aruba, tourism and hospitality.
But for Elvis, the mural had another important purpose: putting San Nicolas on the map.
At the time he painted the mural, San Nicolas had relatively few artistic walls. Throughout the process, people stopped to watch Elvis work, expressing their excitement about seeing something beautiful and different on the street.
Over time, the mural became a point of interest in San Nicolas. Tourists and locals began stopping to take pictures in front of it, while visitors watched the artist at work and documented the transformation. For Elvis, this was a sign that the mural was fulfilling its purpose: drawing attention to San Nicolas, highlighting its identity and giving visitors a glimpse of the town’s hospitality and culture.
12 Years Later
More than a decade later, Elvis Tromp is giving his artwork a fresh new look.
The mural he created in 2014 is once again receiving attention, thanks to a new contribution from ATA, and the Ministry of Tourism, Transport and Labor. The initiative fits with the government’s vision to revitalize the houses along Bernhardstraat in San Nicolas.
For the artist, returning to the mural has a special meaning. As he works, Elvis once again sees people stopping to observe the mural, take pictures and comment on the artwork. Although the mural had reached a point where it needed attention, the reaction from the public and visitors shows that it never lost its importance.
Now, the mural is coming back to life.
For Elvis, the moment is also a confirmation of the values at the heart of his original concept: hospitality, community and pride in San Nicolas.
A mural created 12 years ago as a gift to the people of Aruba is now receiving new color from the same artist who imagined it, designed it and brought it to life.
