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People of all ages and artistic abilities are invited to help fill in the outline of a 1,800-foot paint-by-numbers mural and enjoy a community celebration at Cruces Creatives makerspace, 205 E. Lohman Ave., noon-4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 20, and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 21-22, the nonprofit said in a news release. Community painters can participate for as long as they wish any or all days.
More information and pre- registration options for the mural painting are available at www.crucescreatives.org/event-5341576.
“Through this free, family friendly event, participants can help beautify downtown Las Cruces,
enjoy time together, make connections, enjoy light refreshments and learn about other opportunities for community service available through Cruces Creatives,” the news release said.
A special goal for the project is to help community members ages 50 and older make social connections and find meaningful volunteering opportunities, especially after the disruptions of the Covid-19 pandemic, the nonprofit said.
“Thanks to a paint-by-numbers process, participants don’t need any special artistic experience
to help make a beautiful mural,” Cruces Creatives said. “Anyone who can hold a brush can help paint it, and volunteers from the makerspace will be on site to help answer questions and offer guidance.”
Paints, brushes and all other supplies will be provided. Participants should bring sun protection and clothes suitable for painting. Water bottles are also encouraged.
The project has been made possible thanks to generous support from AARP and the Devasthali Family Foundation Fund at the Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico. The design for the mural, “Lady of Las Cruces,” was developed by Tina Ballew of NMCO Media and chosen by community voting, with 615 people casting an online ballot, the news release said.
This is the third outdoor paint-by-numbers mural Cruces Creatives has coordinated. The first, “La Tierra Sagrada” by AO Carmona, was painted at the Thomas Branigan Memorial Library amphitheater by more than 300 community members in fall 2019. The second, designed by Celina Corral, was painted by 130-plus students and community members at Raíces del Saber Xinachtli Community School in spring 2022.
