DAVA unveils endangered species mural near Lujan’s Bakery

A third New Mexico mural highlighting imperiled species in the state was unveiled Oct. 21 next to Lujan’s Bakery, 442 E. Lohman Ave.

The mural is part of a national mural project to commemorate the 50^th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The mural includes the Mexican gray wolf, the long-nosed bat and the lesser long-nosed bat.

“Each of these species reflects our New Mexico mural theme: Migration is Natural,” a news release about the event said. “These animals migrate (bat species) or utilize habitat (Mexican wolf) in both Mexico and the United States, where critical habitat for these species can be found.”

The unveiling and community celebration were sponsored by the Doña Ana Village Association (DAVA) and ESA at 50.

“This mural represents a chance of life for the endangered animals,” said mural artist Ramon “Ray” Acosta. “What will the future look like without them? We need to preserve the animals and their habitat for the future generations to come, and my hope is that this mural can represent these animals in a beautiful way.”

“We are so grateful to our national partners who made this vision a reality,” said DAVA President Israel Chavez, a Las Cruces attorney. “With organizations such as the National Endangered Species Coalition, Bat Conservation International, the Humane Society and Lobos of the Southwest, we were able to create one of the most striking murals in Las Cruces. Not only does this piece celebrate the 50-year anniversary of the federal ESA, our mural comments on and highlights the migratory nature of our endangered animal relatives and draws a comparison to our own historic migration stories. We chose Lujan’s Bakery because it is an immigrant Latino-owned business which sits along the historic Camino Real Trail, which even before European arrival was an indigenous travel pathways and represents our time immemorial migration.  There may be walls today, but our ancestors knew no boundary – just respect for our beautiful earth and all of its creatures. At a time when borders and apartheid violence are increasing, we hope our mural inspires people to rise to the cause of Justice for all living creatures.”

Acosta is a self-taught local artist. He began painting large murals in the mid-1980 while working with a local billboard company. You can see his artwork at ChaChi’s Mexican Restaurant, Palacio Bar, Andales Restaurant and Chilitos Restaurant.

DAVA was founded 2021. The Village of Doña Ana is the oldest federally designated colonia in southern New Mexico.

Contact DAVA at donaanavillageassociation@gmail.com.

Visit https://esa50.org/.