EL PASO, TEXAS (KFOX14\/CBS4) \u2014 El Paso Community College (EPCC) celebrated the dedication of a new mural at its Mission del Paso campus, highlighting the transformative journey of its students. <\/p>\n
The mural, titled “Who We Were, Who We Became,” was designed by EPCC Art Professor Miguel Valenzuela and references iconic El Paso landmarks, wildlife, and the campus’s own students.<\/p>\n
Speaking to KFXO14\/CBS4 on Wednesday, Valenzuela said, “I decided I wanted to create something that was a little bit more vibrant, something that would bring the community together and tell us a little bit about our student body itself.” <\/p>\n
He added that the idea for the mural began five years ago and was completed with the help of about 50 students in 2024. <\/p>\n
The 42-foot-long artwork, which began under local artist Cesar Inostroza in 2021, depicts students at the start of their educational journey to a symbolic graduation. <\/p>\n
Valenzuela described the piece as a “growth process, coming into EPCC as one person and ending up as another person, fulfilled in many ways.”<\/p>\n
Dean Joshua Villalobos emphasized the mural’s significance, stating, “This mural represents the heart of EPCC and our Mission del Paso campus. It speaks to the journey each student begins when they walk through our doors, and the transformation that takes place through education, perseverance, and community support.”<\/p>\n
The mural features three sections: “Your Attitude is Everything,” with a lion; “Soaring Like a Bird is the Goal,” with a bird flying over a Mission; and “Move Towards Your Future,” with a locomotive, culminating in the message, “The Best Place to Start and Finish, EPCC!” The background celebrates the historical influences of the Paso Del Norte Mission Trails Region.<\/p>\n
EPCC Art student Erin Eslinger shared her experience, saying, “A lot of work went into the mural. When I was working with the class and within the class, we were brainstorming a lot of ideas. We put more and more thought into each piece, and hopefully students will notice and get inspired, incorporating art into everyday life.”<\/p>\n
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