Segundo Barrio, a historical enclave of El Paso, is witnessing a flourish of colors thanks to a group of industrious students from El Paso ISD. Rolling up their sleeves, these young creatives are pitching in with a community mural project, aimed at rejuvenating the neighborhood's walls with larger-than-life art. According to El Paso ISD, the initiative is a partnership between the district's Community Schools program, local organizations like CompARTE, Southside Neighborhood Association, and Conscious Barrio Inc., and it's engaging students in the cultural heartbeat of their surroundings.
Bringing to the table their brushes, the students, along with working artists, have begun to meticulously thread visual narratives into the Segundo Barrio's exterior. "This project is about more than just painting," explained Citlali Delgado, a teaching artist and Burges High School alumna, as per El Paso ISD. Expressing the endeavors' deeper significance, she added, "It's about community healing, cultural pride, and showing students that art can empower both people and neighborhoods."
One of the murals, now displayed proudly along Sixth Avenue, presents imagery of a woman and a rattlesnake - icons chosen to symbolize feminine strength and shared tenacity. Students from schools such as Guillen Middle School, El Paso High School, and Bowie High School have been intimately involved in the crafting process. "Throughout this project, the students are learning to collaborate, think critically, and take pride in their contributions," Delgado told El Paso ISD.
For Bowie High's Chris Perez, partaking in the mural project holds a dual benefit of community service and personal growth. "This project gave me purpose," Perez said to the El Paso ISD, sharing that it was not merely about creativity but also about learning Segundo Barrio's storied past. "These murals tell our stories and make sure we are heard." Another aspect of the project included the restoration of a mural first put up in 1975 by Arturo Avalos, a muralist steeped in local culture. "My dad used to do murals, and he always said that people look at them and understand what they mean," Boris Plasencia, a participating student, remarked, not realizing his work carries on a legacy that has captivated the neighborhood's imagination for decades.
