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The artist, Arturo Garcia, described his work “Cloud Cover” as being inspired by a “sacred, ceremonial Pueblo Indian blanket.”
His multi-color, multi-layered and textured metal work is incorporated into the top of Las Cruces Fire Department Station No. 3, and was dedicated July 13.
“A blanket protects and covers us like our firefighters do,” Garcia said at the dedication, and then pointed to a group of LCFD firefighters, dressed in dark blue. “Look at them back there. They are a blanket of blue.”
LCFD Chief Jason Smith talked of wearing “30 to 50 pounds of gear and tools, going in places you can’t see, when it’s so loud you hear everything and you can’t hear anything at the same time, going into the scariest, most dangerous events you can put yourself into. These firefighters do that every day to take care of the people who need us.”
City Councilor Johana Bencomo, who represents District 4, home to Fire Station No. 3, described the art as having “layers of meaning and power and interpretation,” adding “Every day the crew of Fire Station 3 is out there putting their bodies on the line.”
“They deserve our commitment,” Bencomo said.
Garcia, originally from El Paso, was joined by his mother Elisa, who still lives in El Paso, as well as his girlfriend, Lana Ankenbauer. Garcia’s son, Dominic, was in town from his home in China, where he lives with his wife, Shuai, and their two-year-old son Frankie.
