Painted Mural to be Installed in WMNU’s Barnard Hall in Silver City, NM

Silver City, NM – June 24, 2019 – Silver City will soon feature a new mural on the Western New Mexico University campus, thanks to the 13th Annual Youth Mural Camp and Mimbres Region Arts Council. The 2019 Youth Mural Camp runs Monday-Friday, starting Monday, July 8 through Friday, July 19. The completed mural at Barnard Hall will be dedicated at noon on July 19.

Youth Murals is a program of the Mimbres Region Arts Council that transforms the vision of local artists into an educational opportunity for local youth. Founded in 2004, the program uses art to teach students about the history of the area, while encouraging them to beautify and connect with their community. To date, the program has produced over 70 murals in and around Silver City.

This year’s Youth Mural Camp will produce a painted mural inspired by the Endangered Species Mural Program. The Endangered Species Mural Program’s mission is to raise awareness of threatened and endangered wildlife in the communities near where the murals are found. Visiting artist Roger Peet and local artist Alison Phillips will lead the camp.

“Each camp offers the kids an opportunity to be part of something that benefits the whole community,” said Diana Ingalls Leyba, Mural Program Director/Coordinator of the Youth Mural Camp program. “Not only do they create the design of the mural, but this year they will also get to learn from our first-ever visiting artist, Roger Peet. Mr. Peet’s painting style will provide the inspiration for the kids, as they actively decide how the mural will look.”

“The talent these kids display is astounding,” added Leyba. “Seeing them take ownership over the concept and design is inspiring. I have had so many kids return and express how their participation in the Youth Mural Camp provided a boost to their self-esteem and is a bright spot in their lives.”

The 2019 camp will be held on the WNMU campus at Barnard Hall, accompanied by activities at the Science Building-Harlan Hall. Campers will have the opportunity to work on a variety of creative projects that may include silk screening, mono printing, ceramics and more. Additional hands-on opportunities focused on the biodiversity of the plants and animals of the Gila region are provided, thanks to the support of the Heart of the Gila and staff from WNMU Department of Natural Resources.

Mural Camp tuition for children aged 6-12 is $165 for 2 weeks and $110 for 1 week, and some scholarships are available. Campers attend camp from 9 am - 12 pm each day. For children aged 13-14, Apprentice Intern positions are available at no cost with work hours from 8:30 am - 3:30 pm. Those 15 and older are considered Interns, will be paid for their participation, and will act as “camp counselors.” Their work hours are from 8:30 am - 3:30 pm.

Applications for campers and interns are available at the MRAC office, located in the Wells Fargo Bank, 1201 Pope Street, 575-538-2505, Tuesday-Friday from 9-4; at Leyba & Ingalls ARTS, 315 N. Bullard Street, Monday-Saturday 10-6, 575-388-5725; and at the Silver City Library, 515 W College, 575-538-3672.

Mural Site Sponsors include the Center for Biological Diversity, Heart of the Gila, and WNMU.

The Youth Mural Program Sponsors are the Town of Silver City, Lineberry Foundation, Comcast, Syzygy Tileworks, Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate, Morning Star, Finishing Touch, J&J Signs, and Leyba & Ingalls ARTS. 

About the Endangered Species Mural Project:

The Center for Biological Diversity’s Endangered Species Mural Project is a national effort to paint murals of threatened and endangered wildlife in the communities near to where they are found. With twenty murals installed so far in cities and towns across the U.S., the project creates beautiful educational landmarks that serve to foster a civic environmental pride in the species that make the places we live unique. The murals are coordinated by Portland artist Roger Peet, who works with local artists, scientists, educators, and students to create each mural, inviting youth and other members of the community to participate in their installation and in the presentation of the completed work to the general public. 

About the Heart of the Gila:

Heart of the Gila, a local non-profit, is excited to help sponsor this year’s Youth Mural Project by hosting visiting artist Roger Peet. “The protection of wild places and all the creatures that depend on them is at the center of our education program,” said Heart of the Gila founder, Patrice Mutchnick. Heart of the Gila celebrates the lives of Ella Jaz Kirk, Michael Mahl and Ella Myers—all three were gifted artists, musicians and environmental advocates. According to Mutchnick, “helping support this year’s Endangered Species Mural honors our children’s passion for both science and art and helps pass on that love to other children in our community. We’re honored to be a part of this opportunity.”