El Paso artist Hal Marcus, well-known as a painter, art collector and book publisher whose vibrant, colorful works reflected his love of the Borderland, has died at age 74.
Marcus “died as he lived, artfully and peacefully, in his unique home, surrounded by loving family, friends, and his art collection,” his daughter, Leilainia Marcus, wrote in an obituary.
Funeral services will take place at 10 a.m. Monday, April 13, at B’nai Zion Cemetery, 3915 Gateway West Blvd. in Central El Paso, his family said.
Marcus died on Sunday morning, April 12, after a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer in late 2025 that, in recent months, had given him time to reflect on a life filled with love and creativity.
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Marcus was a cornerstone of El Paso’s artistic scene with his hats and colorful, flowered shirts and his mentoring of other artists, as well as loaning, selling and donating artwork to churches, synagogues and public buildings.
El Paso artist Hal Marcus paints a burro outside his gallery at 1308 N. Oregon St. on Monday, Feb. 1, 2021. He and artist Diego “Robot” Martinez both worked on the burro.
Among Marcus’ best-known paintings are:
∎ “El Paso Navidad,” painted in 1993 inspired by his childhood memories of Christmas in Downtown El Paso.
El Paso artist Hal Marcus painted this iconic scene of El Paso at Christmas time in 1993. Prints and posters of the original continue sell as the painting connects with many residents.
∎ “El Paso Gracias a Dios,” a 1993 painting with a Thanksgiving theme celebrating El Paso’s history. The painting for years was displayed at the Chamizal National Memorial.
The Hal Marcus Gallery has been a vibrant part of the art scene for 30 years, providing a space for artists.
The gallery first opened at his grandmother’s old house at 2430 N. Mesa St. in 1996 before eventually moving to 1308 N. Oregon St. in the historic Sunset Heights neighborhood across the street from his home, an obituary stated. The Sunset Parlor opened in 2010 as a hub of art, meditation, dance and wellness classes.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the establishment of the Hal Marcus Art Museum at 1319 North Oregon St., which the family hopes to open in late 2027. To donate, go to SunsetParlor.com.
Daniel Borunda may be reached at dborunda@elpasotimes.com and @BorundaDaniel on X.
El Paso artist Hal Marcus died on Sunday, April 12, after a battle with cancer. He is shown in his studio on Jan. 17, 2026.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: El Paso artist Hal Marcus dies at 74