From the El Paso Center for Children:
El Paso Center for Children will kick off Street ARTreach, a campaign that emphasizes hope and features local artists’ works projected onto buildings this weekend in Downtown El Paso.
The Center for Children conceived this project over the summer in order to put a call out to teens and young adults through 24 years old who are experiencing homelessness, or for young people who may be survivors of human trafficking and child exploitation. The center commissioned local artists to create special pieces that are intended to be projected onto high profile buildings, or in areas where young people gather and are likely to see the images.
“It wasn’t hard to recruit artists once they became aware of the mission,” said Beth Senger, El Paso Center for Children executive director. “Art has a way of speaking to people–especially young people–in a very authentic and moving way.”
Five artists signed up to create and exhibit their art through Street ARTreach, including Christin Apodaca, Tino Ortega, Diego “Robot” Martinez, Dead Punk and Pilo Pida. The projectors and support equipment is being provided by Edgar Olivas of i.am.beam.
This Friday’s projections will appear on the south façade of the Abraham Chavez Theater and on the notable “dome” building on Missouri Ave. from 8:00 p.m. to midnight. Saturday’s projections will utilize the north façade of the El Paso County jail, the dome and the Chavez Theater, also from 8:00 to midnight.
El Paso Center for Children is a nonprofit that has been helping families, children and youth for over 100 years. Their teams have been working with youth and young adults experiencing homelessness as well as working to combat child exploitation and human trafficking along the El Paso-Cd. Juarez border.
The murals will direct viewers to the Center’s website and social media accounts, where intake counselors are available 24/7 to respond discreetly via direct message, live chat or email. Information about the artists and the Street ARTreach campaign will be available on Instragram @epccinc or via #StreetARTreach.