{"id":188570,"date":"2026-03-03T16:02:08","date_gmt":"2026-03-03T16:02:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/188570\/"},"modified":"2026-03-03T16:02:08","modified_gmt":"2026-03-03T16:02:08","slug":"el-pasos-downtown-arts-district-gains-award-winning-momentum-the-prospector","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/188570\/","title":{"rendered":"El Paso\u2019s downtown arts district gains award-winning momentum \u2013 The Prospector"},"content":{"rendered":"

Every year, USA Today presents the 10 Best Readers\u2019 Choice Awards, including one for Best Art District in the country. Voting for this year\u2019s ranking began in late January with 20 nominations. On Feb. 25, it was officially announced that El Paso\u2019s Downtown Art District made the top 10, finishing in fourth place.<\/p>\n

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\u2019s website.<\/p>\n

Notable pieces include Artur Bordalo\u2019s mountain lion made of recycled trash on the side of the One San Jacinto Plaza Building, Roberto Davidoff\u2019s multi-panel artistic glass window in the El Paso Clock Tower and Stephen Ingle\u2019s three six-foot steel pi\u00f1atas underneath the Durango Street Bridge.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>The \u201cMountain Lion Mural\u201d 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<\/a>)<\/p>\n

The\u00a0nomination\u00a0thrilled the\u00a0University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP)\u00a0art students, who believe it\u00a0as well-deserved recognition.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Senior drawing major, Daphne Gonzalez, said downtown\u2019s creative space stands out because of its binational influences.<\/p>\n

\u201cEl Paso has shown artwork that evolves with the city\u2019s border identity, and that\u2019s something other cities don\u2019t share,\u201d Gonzalez said. \u201cWe see themes of migration, labor, resilience and mixed heritage.\u201d<\/p>\n

Much of the public art reflects the cultural fusion of Ciudad Ju\u00e1rez and El Paso, the \u201csister cities,\u201d she said. Gonzalez called it \u201cfull of heart and soul\u201d and hopes the recognition boosts national and local appreciation for the district.<\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\u201cLos Largartos\u201d (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. \t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\u201cEl Paso deserves more recognition even from our own community,\u201d Gonzalez said. \u201cBefore college, I wasn\u2019t aware of the art culture El Paso thoughtfully cultivates.\u201d<\/p>\n

Senior art studio major, Julian Ba\u00f1uelos, described the district as a rich and colorful storyteller of the city\u2019s history.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur culture is a pivotal foundation to the art created here,\u201d Ba\u00f1uelos said. \u201cIt carries stories of not only individuals but also a community. [The murals] make it easy for these stories to be told.\u201d<\/p>\n

Students also\u00a0hope\u00a0the\u00a0acclaim\u00a0helps\u00a0local talent.\u00a0Limited funding<\/a>\u00a0is\u00a0a significant challenge for the district, according to\u00a0El Paso Matters.\u00a0Gonzalez said there\u00a0is a\u00a0lack 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\u00a0others\u00a0forms of income.\u00a0The attention brought by the competition could lead to opportunities that help address these limitations.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cI think it\u2019s a fantastic idea to carry out this momentum, whether it is through more exhibitions, collaborative work like art exchanges\u00a0or professional opportunities,\u201d Ba\u00f1uelos said. \u201cMore eyes will be on El Paso\u2019s vibrant culture, more artists will be created\u00a0and in turn,\u00a0even more art.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Internships\u00a0and pop-up shows are some ways that\u00a0UTEP\u00a0students\u00a0could get\u00a0involved 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.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Being listed among the top 10 arts districts\u00a0is a\u00a0big step toward\u00a0increasing\u00a0awareness of El Paso\u2019s artistic offerings and encouraging\u00a0current\u00a0and\u00a0future\u00a0artists, including UTEP students.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Brisa Silva is a contributor writer and may be reached at [email\u00a0protected]<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n

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