Despite the cold weather, dozens of fascinated art lovers came out to see El Paso’s annual art and fine crafts show––Las Artistas.

The fair began in 1970 to promote art appreciation within the El Paso community. There were 63 booths at the fair with artists ranging from jewelry makers, sculptures, wood carvers, painters, and clothing designers from artists around the Texas area.

Artists such as UTEP Alumni Winfrey Hearst showed off her artwork at the art show. Her depictions of scenery captured the eyes of many. Hearst said that the artwork involving scenery is created at the location. Her styles included pastels, pencils, and even acid work. Hearst’s artwork was not only featured at the art and fine crafts show, but can also be found at Bozeman High School, the Montana Historical Society Museum, and the University of Texas at El Paso.

A majority of the artists there were located inside a building, however a few of the artists had booths set up outside the entrance of the events center. Located in a grassy area surrounded by tons of ceramic mugs were the UTEP ceramics students. Each mug was created by an art student at UTEP. Representing the Ceramics Associations of Student Art was junior art education major Veronica Chaparro.

“This whole semester we worked on creating mugs,” Chaparro said. “It’s a really long process and Ceramics 2-4 worked on them as well as making other things such as candles.”

Each mug sold for $15 were uniquely made according to the style of the student who worked on it. Chaparro said that so far the group had sold about 120 mugs. The proceeds would be going to help out the Ceramics Association of Student Art as well as other things such as equipment for the department.

“We have great teachers. That’s what makes us who we are. Without them, we couldn’t have gotten this far,” Chaparro said.

Unfortunately for the art students, this is the only time that they are able to showcase their work in a public area. Chaparro said that one day she hopes that the University will allow the students to have an art show such as this one.

“We worked really hard and we have a lot to show for it,” Chaparro said. “We’re proud of what we do, that this is what helps us showcase who we are.”

This year marks the seventh year that UTEP ceramic program has been involved in this annual event­­–– Chaparro was one of the 30 students to showcase their work.

Amber Gomez may be reached at [email protected]