UTEP’s graphic design program and Sun Metro have joined forces to bring a new look to public transportation.
Sun Metro chose seven pieces of art created by UTEP graphic design students to be displayed at bus terminals as a part of the university’s centennial celebration. Six individual designs will also be displayed on the buses as well.
“We are very excited to partner with The University of Texas at El Paso,” Sun Metro Director Jay Banasiak said. “This partnership brings to light the important roles Sun Metro and UTEP play in moving and advancing the lives of our community, but more importantly this partnership highlights the wonderful creative talent that moves and grows in El Paso.”
The design project, which has been in the works since 2013, was finally unveiled to the public earlier this month. The student designs are on display at the Sun Metro Downtown Transfer Center, 601 Santa Fe St., and on fixed-route buses throughout the city.
“This collaboration with Sun Metro is especially exciting because of the huge audience it provides,” said Anne M. Giangiulio, associate professor of art. “It also gives the community a sense of the high level of education these students are receiving and the professional quality of graphic design of which they are capable.”
The audience that will view these designs is exceptionally large as Sun Metro transports about 17 million El Pasoans each year.
The students whose work was selected for display were senior art majors, Yvonne Aceves, Adrian Batista, Monique Deitrick, Luis Larrieu, Patricia Menchaca and Diana Saenz.
Menchaca said that she was excited when she found out that she would take part on this project.
“It feels like my work payed off. Knowing thousands of people are going to look at our work is more than I could have imagined for my first real job,” Menchaca said. “This opportunity has given me a greater sense on how many jobs are out there.”
According to Menchaca, as a result of this she feels more confident towards her goals after graduation and she hopes to inspire people through her art.
“I want the world to see their talent, energy and imagination,” Giangiulio said. “It is so important to give the students’ designs a life outside the walls of a classroom and for them to see their work here.”
Sun Metro believes that the selected artwork not only helps beautify El Paso, but it also enhances the experience for their commuters, and provides artists an opportunity to showcase their perspectives of the Sun City.
The students’ work is also displayed as large mosaic murals at the Glory Road Transfer Center near campus.
Arturo Arce, Sun Metro’s graphic designer and a UTEP alumni, said that the collaboration with UTEP is an important part of reaching out and giving back to the community.
“With this project, both UTEP and Sun Metro are taking on the role of giving back to the community and making art accessible anywhere,” Arce said. “The UTEP graphic design department is excellent, and I’m happy we can both work together to bring art to the city.”
Lesly Limon may be reached at [email protected].
