LOOK: Centro San Antonio Announces 'Open Call' for Downtown Spurs Mural

Nothing is more special to the city of San Antonio than the San Antonio Spurs.

The city's love for its basketball team takes many forms, and many more than just showing up for games. Whether it's team merchandise displayed proudly in shops in and around San Antonio, fans wearing players' jerseys — both new and old — or almost every TV screen tuned into games from home, Spurs pride runs deep.

It's been that way for decades, even before the Spurs won their first title, but now that No. 1 pick Victor Wembanyama is set to suit up for the Silver & Black, San Antonio is set to undergo yet another culture change, and won it hopes is centered around winning.

As fans and players alike get ready to embrace this change, however, the city itself is taking the Spurs love to the next level, announcing what it's called an "open call" for artists to leave their mark in downtown San Antonio by means of a team mural.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for a local artist to demonstrate individual skills, beautify downtown and support our Spurs — all at the same time,” San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg said. “Downtown San Antonio already is a community treasure, and public art is making it even better.”

One of Wembanyama's most unique traits is his love for art, which he compares to basketball because of its uniqueness.

"Each line, each dot [on a clipboard playbook] is a pass or a basket during a game," Wembanyama said. "Every game is an artwork in of itself."

Now, artists are being called to submit some of their work for the chance to win the space and etch their name into Spurs culture and history.

Both the city and the team are partnering with Centro San Antonio, which per its news release, is a "nonprofit placemaking organization that manages the downtown public improvement district" with a goal of creating a "more beautiful, playful, welcoming, and prosperous downtown in the spirit of San Antonio."

“We’re thrilled that Centro and the City of San Antonio have elected to celebrate the wonderful, deep relationship that exists between the Spurs, our fans and our community,” Spurs CEO R.C. Buford said. “We are thankful for the love and support we feel from our fans and embrace the opportunity to work hard every day to inspire and impact our community.”

With Wembanyama's arrival, there will be even more fans and eyes on the Spurs than there have been in recent years, but apart from the extra attention, Centro San Antonio's motivation for funding and managing a new mural comes down to the same reason that has united the city of San Antonio for decades.

“The Spurs occupy a special place in all of our hearts…and as downtown is the heart of San Antonio, it just makes sense,” Trish DeBerry, CEO of Centro San Antonio said. “We feel this mural will bring joy to locals and visitors alike, just like downtown does.”

Centro San Antonio's open call went public online on Monday, with applicants required to submit a biography, resume and 1-3 pieces of work to be considered for the mural. Submissions will be accepted until Friday, Sept. 29, with the final selection being announced on Oct. 12 and 13.

The winning muralist will then be given a $100,000 budget to complete the mural, located on side of the Houston Street Garage in Downtown San Antonio.