Regeneration
Photo credit: City of El Paso, Museum and Cultural Affairs Department
A Vision of Healing and Community
In 2008, Regeneration became the first public art installation under El Paso’s 2% for the Arts program, a transformative initiative led by the Museum and Cultural Affairs Department (MCAD). Located in the City Healthcare District of El Paso, Texas, this 90-foot-long mural brought new life to a key passageway between the University Medical Center and Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center.
The mural, designed with custom-built walls and painted using mineral paint for long-lasting durability, reflects the cultural and ecological heritage of the region. Inspired by medicinal plants native to the Chihuahuan Desert—historically used by Native American and Mexican healers—the abstract design incorporates rhythmic forms that evoke healing and contemplation. Positioned in an alleyway frequented by medical staff, students, and patients, the installation was thoughtfully crafted to create a meditative space that enhances the environment and the theme of healing central to the district.
The collaborative process behind Regeneration ensured its relevance to the community. The artist worked closely with MCAD, public art committees, and representatives from the healthcare institutions to shape the project. Their insights and feedback helped guide the mural’s themes, ensuring it resonated with the people it was designed to serve. This process-centered approach not only grounded the project in the district’s cultural context but also fostered a strong sense of community ownership.
Impact and Legacy
Regeneration transformed an underutilized space into a vibrant, meaningful landmark that continues to inspire. The mural set the tone for public art in El Paso, kicking off the city’s 2% for the Arts program and sparking a wave of creative energy in the healthcare district. Its success led to additional plant-themed art installations in the area and established the artist as a leader in public art that integrates cultural storytelling and community engagement.
The project’s impact extends beyond its artistic merits. It demonstrated the power of art to enhance public spaces, creating a calming yet dynamic environment for those who pass through. For the artist, Regeneration marked the beginning of a career dedicated to creating thoughtful, large-scale public art installations that connect communities with their surroundings.
This project exemplifies the artist’s expertise in designing site-specific installations that combine cultural heritage, thoughtful collaboration, and long-term durability—offering a model for how public art can transform and energize shared spaces.
Press
Museum and Cultural Affairs Dept – Public Art Tour Brochure
Public Art Archive – Regeneration
The El Paso Times – City public art project unveiled
The El Paso Inc – The good and the bad
The El Paso Times – Medical school introduces faculty recruits
The Newpaper Tree – Pestilential Shadows, Remedial Light
