Art in the Park

Every now and then we discuss the idea of doing some really cool, permanent art at Newman Park. It doesn't hurt that El Paso has an ordinance that encourages public art and the person in charge of that committee is a Newmanista: Pat Dalbin.

Here's what many of us don't know: we are already blessed with the art of Luis Villegas here in our neighborhood. Lee and Bobby Byrd have been patrons of his art for a long time. Their front porch has a painted design by Villegas. Their bathroom has a ceramic tile snake design also by this great local artist. There is a Villegas mural in their backyard and now an old, dead tree became the medium for carved fish sculptures. Luis is also the genius behind the brightly painted Cinco Puntos Press building on Texas.

Recently the Byrds had a backyard party to honor Luis and to celebrate his art. El Paso photographer and blogger, Carolyn Rhea Drapes (aka "chacal la chaise") did a lovely entry about Luis and the party. She gave me permission to use some of her photos from the event on this blog as you can see above. (That's Luis with the grand, gray beard.)

By the way, Drapes is quite the photographic artist. Please see her flickr photostreams of her collections of scenes in and around El Paso. You can see her photographs from Luis' party here. There is now a permanent link to her blog from this site: El Paso Daily Photo Blog by Chacal La Chaise.

Newman Park Neighborhood Association June Board Minutes

Minutes for Newman Park Neighborhood Association Board Meeting, June 21, 2008 at Doña Lupe Cafe, 2919 Pershing, El Paso, TX.

In attendance: Lynn Coyle, Diana Erickson, Lee Byrd and Jim Tolbert.

President Lynn Coyle called the meeting to order at 7:49 a.m.

Lee reported that we have $981.96 in the bank of which $400 is designated for park bench memorials. $300 has been collected for membership dues. Lynn agreed to write a “pitch” for dues for the newsletter.

There has been no report back from the City yet regarding traffic calming.

Feedback was given about the past movie night. There was concern that the movie (“The Love Bug”) was too long and too dated. It was also hard to hear.

The Board next discussed the upcoming annual meeting and picnic in July. Mayor Pro-Tem Susie Byrd’s office will supply hamburgers and hotdogs. People will bring a favorite side dish.

It was suggested that the September 13th concert include a fundraiser. Most felt that a group such as Ceiba or Los San Patricios would attract the most people to the fundraiser. Diana Erickson suggested getting donations as with a silent auction. However, people purchase tickets that go for a drawing for each donated item. [N.B. If we are going to do this, we need to start ASAP getting donations.]

The Board liked the plan for the placement of the swing sets as presented by Ric Garcia to Becky Friesenhahn and Jim Tolbert.

Questions were raised about the NIP funds – when would those improvements be made.

The City has no plans to replace the playground equipment in the foreseeable future.

Finally, the Board discussed painting tables and benches. Lynn said that she preferred that such painting be part of a bigger plan for art in the park along the lines of that done at the El Paso Botanical Gardens/Keystone Heritage Park. There was some discussion about painting tables and benches now and re-doing them later when money is available to do the larger art projects. Lynn was going to speak with Pat Dalbin about Public Art funding.

Food was great.

Meeting adjourned.