Guadalupe Mountains National Park Partners with the Carlsbad Mural Project on Traveling Mural

From our friends at Guadalupe Mountains National Park:

Guadalupe Mountains National Park Superintendent Dennis A. Vásquez announced that the park has completed a partnership with the Carlsbad Mural Project, a project of the Carlsbad Community Anti-Gang-Drug Coalition (www.carlsbadcoalition.net), with the creation of a traveling mural of the park. Guadalupe Mountains National Park entered into the partnership with the Carlsbad Mural Project to create the mural in 2012, as part of the 40th Anniversary of the park‟s establishment in 1972.

Vásquez stated, “Art - visual arts, language arts and music - in a variety of mediums - has long been used to help people visualize and understand national parks, from the early paintings of George Caitlin to the exquisite photographs of Ansel Adams. This mural is a wonderful way to introduce people to Guadalupe Mountains National Park and, along with our Artist-In-Residence program, illustrate the beauty, and the flora, fauna, geologic, historic resources, and recreational opportunities, such as hiking and backpacking, which the park possesses. We have enjoyed working with Brother Boko and the volunteers who created this beautiful mural, and are pleased at how well they have captured the essence of Guadalupe Mountains National Park.”

In July 2012, the park contacted Joe Epstein and Eve Flanigan at the Carlsbad Mural Project about the possibility of creating a mural of the park, after reading about a mural project they had undertaken with “at-risk” youth. Epstein put the park in contact with noted muralist Charles Freeman, AKA “Brother Boko,” and over the next several months, Boko spoke and met with park staff many times to discuss creation of a mural, which would similarly involve “at-risk” youth as a way of introducing them to and involving them in Guadalupe Mountains National Park, and to develop a concept for the mural.

In August 2012, Boko submitted conceptual sketches, which were accepted by the park. The park provided the plywood, hardware, paint, information and photographs about the park, and park staff consulted with Boko on concepts and reviewed drawings and various stages of the mural‟s development. New Mexico State University, Carlsbad provided studio space and over the next several months Boko, as a NPS Volunteer-In-Parks, assisted by other volunteers, including NMSU-Carlsbad‟s Retention Coordinator Ayako Sami and Director of Library Services Akila Nosakhere, further developed the concepts for the mural, researched the park, including its flora, fauna and history, photographed various aspect of the park and painted the mural. Two other volunteers who helped paint the mural were young men, who must remain anonymous due to privacy concerns, from the Grace House (www.gracehouse.net), a residential treatment program for adolescents, aged 13-18, in Carlsbad, NM.

Brother Boko added, “I think the inclusion of so-called „at risk‟ youth is a great idea. The creative process of mural making offers them a positive and productive outlet for their creative energy. The Carlsbad Mural Project is committed to working with Carlsbad‟s youth through local organizations, such as the Boys & Girls Club, which has proven to be a great collaboration. Our most recent endeavor with young people from the Grace House has proven to be quite beneficial, as well. The two youth who participated in the production of the Guadalupe Mountains travelling mural were enthusiastic and open to being taught mural painting techniques. My hope is that they will continue to pursue this path and achieve great things in their lives. Thanks J and D, and also to Ayako, for your energy!”

The then unfinished, 8‟ high x 16‟ wide mural, consisting of four painted, plywood panels, was displayed publicly for the first time at the Pine Springs Visitor Center, during the park‟s 40th Anniversary Celebration on October 6, 2012. After that event, work continued on the mural in between several other mural projects for which Boko was commissioned. When not being used for outreach, the mural may be seen inside the Pine Springs Visitor Center Auditorium, which is open daily (except for December 25) from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.

Vásquez continued, “We are grateful to Brother Boko, as well as for the support of Eve Flanigan and Joe Epstein of the Carlsbad Mural Project, Dr. John Gratton, President of New Mexico State University, Carlsbad, as well as Sharon Young, Linde Merry and Bobby Keys, Ayako Sami and Akila Nosakhere of New Mexico State University, Carlsbad, Melissa Roberts at the Grace House, as well as the two young artists from Grace House who assisted with the mural. Jesus “Chuy” Melero, a Carlsbad High School Teacher assisted with this project during his time as a Teacher- Ranger-Teacher at the park, as well as after he returned to the classroom, and the park‟s maintenance staff, designed and built the frame for the mural. We thank everyone who was involved in this project in bringing it to fruition.”

Park information, including park conditions, closures or restrictions, weather and program information, may be found on the park‟s website at www.nps.gov/GUMO/, on the park‟s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/Guadalupe.Mountains/, or by contacting the Pine Springs Visitor Center at (915) 828-3251 x2124. Free interpretive programs and guided hikes may be found on the Meetup page at www.meetup.com/Guadalupe-Mountains-National-Park-Meetup-Group/, on the park website or by calling the Pine Springs Visitor Center. The Pine Springs Visitor Center is open daily (except for Christmas) from 8:00 AM until 4:30 PM (8:00 AM until 6:00 PM from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend). Be sure to stop by to get a map, site bulletins, brochures, post cards, books or film about Guadalupe Mountains National Park. The McKittrick Canyon, Frijole Ranch House, Dog Canyon and Salt Basin Dunes (Dell City,TX) Visitor Contact Stations are open intermittently. Please call the Pine Springs Visitor Center at (915) 828-3251 x2124 to find out whether they are open. For Dog Canyon, call the Dog Canyon Visitor Contact Station/Ranger Station at (575) 981-2418.

Alpine: Mural City!

On a busy corner along Holland in downtown Alpine, there's something new for visitors to see.  Alpine, with its ArtWalk and many gallery spaces is showing the town's culture and history front and center.  Stand at the flashing red stoplight and you'll see Alpine's murals...three of them right there for visitors and residents to enjoy!  The newest one appeared during November's ArtWalk!

Spend a few minutes there, and enjoy a glimpse at Alpine's history!

Enjoy Viva Big Bend Yet Today!

Today is the last day of this year's music festival, Viva Big Bend.  Is it too late to enjoy the festival?  No!

You can watch the progress of Artwalk Alpine's Mural-in-a-Weekend project in downtown Alpine at 5th and Holland.


Tonight there will be music performances at Railroad Blues in Alpine, and Padre's in Marfa.  (Click here to download a schedule.) Here's a shot from last night's Patrice Pike show at Padre's.

Next year, plan early!  This year's festival hosted five days of performances in four communities (Alpine, Marfa, Marathon and Fort Davis), some of them free, like this Shelley King show in Fort Davis.

Or the free Breting Engel show at the Holland Hotel in Alpine, pictured above!  Everyone is having so much fun!  Add Viva Big Bend to your summer fun next year, and join us in the mountains!

Historical Map of the Region: original murals in Alpine's Museum of the Big Bend

Original mural map still on display in the Museum of the Big Bend in Alpine, on the campus of Sul Ross State University.  From the Museum's website:

"In 1926 the West Texas Historical and Scientific Society was founded for the purpose of creating a museum for the Big Bend region. With funding from the Texas Centennial Commission and the WPA, the Museum was constructed in 1937. 

In 2006 the structure was completely renovated and new exhibits designed and installed. Located in the Emmett and Miriam McCoy building, the Museum opened in August 2007 and is the only native rock structure left on the Sul Ross State University campus" 

The Museum does hold an extrordinary collection of maps, the Yana and Marty Davis Map Collection.   View selections of the collection here.

The Murals of Segundo Barrio by Rob Hodges

South of downtown, ending at the U.S.-Mexico border, is El Paso’s Segundo Barrio district. It reminds me of any number of Central American cities—crumbling brick facades are painted assorted bright colors; business signs and overheard conversations are in Spanish; the ubiquitous flea market is not just a weekend event; a grand cathedral spans most of a city block; and colorful murals liven the street scene.

Double-click on image
for a closer look!

I went to the district on a tour of Museo Urbano, a tiny museum in a historically significant building that tells the fascinating history of Segundo Barrio. Prior to visiting, I had been most interested in seeing the building since it used to be a boarding house occupied by Henry O. Flipper from 1919–20. I won’t go into the intriguing details of Flipper’s life—especially since it’s not a main focus of the museum—but his story is definitely worth exploring, and some historical sites associated with him are located within the Texas Mountain Trail Region.

Another interesting historical figure who does take center stage at Museo Urbano is the young, Mexican healer/revolutionary, Teresita Urrea, who also lived there. The museum tells her compelling story through photographs, quotes, and a room full of the traditional products and herbs of a curandera (healer). 

But what reminds me of Central America lies behind the museum. A small alley is full of vivid and surreal murals portraying various aspects of the community’s heritage, including music, leaders, oppression, and triumphs. Apparently, the museum commissioned the first mural of musicians, and community members spontaneously responded by filling the alley with subjects of importance to them.

Double-click for
a closer look!

Down the street from the museum is the stately Sacred Heart Church, and more murals can be found around the corner on East Father Rahm Avenue. Street art can be found throughout the world, but the quantity, prominence and styles—typically surrealist or magical realist with lots of religious imagery—is what reminds me so much of Central America. I’ve seen similar murals in León, Nicaragua; Panama City, Panama; Liberia, Costa Rica; and small towns around Lago de Atitlan in Guatemala. It’s nice to find some of that flavor in the U.S.

Speaking of flavor, I would be remiss not to mention fantastic neighborhood restaurant, New City Grill. Located on South Mesa Street and East Third Avenue, New City Grill offers an eclectic mix of Mexican, Italian, and American fare. Being in El Paso, I had to sample the restaurant’s take on the city’s famed chile relleno dish. The egg-breaded, deep-fried, stuffed-pepper-smothered-in-red-sauce did not disappoint, and the raspberry lemonade was a memorable accompaniment.

Rob Hodges is a freelance writer and editor whose work has appeared in such diverse publications as the Houston Chronicle, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Austin Monthly, Edible Austin, South American Explorer, national meetings magazines, and Texas Historical Commission travel guides. Having traveled through about 30 countries on five continents, and about 40 states in the U.S., he can say with authority that Texas is a great place to live. His home is about a mile from the Capitol in Austin, where he lives with wife, Kate, and daughter, Zadie.  His work can be seen at robhodges.com.

Murals in El Paso!

El Paso has truly wonderful murals...this one is located at the corner of Brown and Yandell, just a block from another great place to visit, the city's International Museum of Art.  Since we're celebrating the anniversary of the Mexican Revolution this week, we also want to note that the museum has a collection based on the revolution, including a death mask of Pancho Villa.