Every year, USA Today presents the 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards, including one for Best Art District in the country. Voting for this year’s ranking began in late January with 20 nominations. On Feb. 25, it was officially announced that El Paso’s Downtown Art District made the top 10, finishing in fourth place.
The district was nominated because of its Spanish colonial revival architecture, heritage-inspired murals reflecting Mexican American history, art decor and exhibits at the El Paso Museum of Art, according to the competition’s website.
Notable pieces include Artur Bordalo’s mountain lion made of recycled trash on the side of the One San Jacinto Plaza Building, Roberto Davidoff’s multi-panel artistic glass window in the El Paso Clock Tower and Stephen Ingle’s three six-foot steel piñatas underneath the Durango Street Bridge.
The “Mountain Lion Mural” by Bordalo II stands at 64 feet tall along the west side of the San Jacinto building. The mural is made entirely out of recycled trash and industrial waste. (Dustin Perez)
The nomination thrilled the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) art students, who believe it as well-deserved recognition.
Senior drawing major, Daphne Gonzalez, said downtown’s creative space stands out because of its binational influences.
“El Paso has shown artwork that evolves with the city’s border identity, and that’s something other cities don’t share,” Gonzalez said. “We see themes of migration, labor, resilience and mixed heritage.”
Much of the public art reflects the cultural fusion of Ciudad Juárez and El Paso, the “sister cities,” she said. Gonzalez called it “full of heart and soul” and hopes the recognition boosts national and local appreciation for the district.
“Los Largartos” (The Lizards) by artist Luis Jim Jimenez was created in 1993 at the San Jacinto Plaza to commemorate the live alligators that resided the plaza from the beginning of the 1980s to 1965.
“El Paso deserves more recognition even from our own community,” Gonzalez said. “Before college, I wasn’t aware of the art culture El Paso thoughtfully cultivates.”
Senior art studio major, Julian Bañuelos, described the district as a rich and colorful storyteller of the city’s history.
“Our culture is a pivotal foundation to the art created here,” Bañuelos said. “It carries stories of not only individuals but also a community. [The murals] make it easy for these stories to be told.”
Students also hope the acclaim helps local talent. Limited funding is a significant challenge for the district, according to El Paso Matters. Gonzalez said there is a lack of long-term support for artists, many of whom are unable to devote themselves fully to their art because they rely on side jobs or others forms of income. The attention brought by the competition could lead to opportunities that help address these limitations.
“I think it’s a fantastic idea to carry out this momentum, whether it is through more exhibitions, collaborative work like art exchanges or professional opportunities,” Bañuelos said. “More eyes will be on El Paso’s vibrant culture, more artists will be created and in turn, even more art.”
Internships and pop-up shows are some ways that UTEP students could get involved and forge closer ties with the district, according to Gonzalez. In addition to gaining experience, students would contribute to the growth of the art community.
Being listed among the top 10 arts districts is a big step toward increasing awareness of El Paso’s artistic offerings and encouraging current and future artists, including UTEP students.
Brisa Silva is a contributor writer and may be reached at [email protected]
