June 1 - 29, “John Houser: Sculptor and Painter.” An exhibition of approximately 15 works by John Houser organized from several collections in Texas and New Mexico. This exhibition will show preparatory pieces that Houser made in order to create the world’s largest equestrian statue that made him famous as well as lesser-known drawings and prints that reveal the depth of Houser’s oeuvre and many subjects he has portrayed. El Paso Museum of Art, One Arts Festival Plaza. Info: 915.532.1707 or www.elpasoartmuseum.org.
June 1 - Aug. 19, A Digital Art Installation by Camille Utterback. An interactive installation artist whose work bridges the gap between painting and interactive art. Part of her ongoing External Measures Series, Untitled 5, 2004, will react to the visitor’s movements with a colored light projection. This work of art gives visitors an opportunity to see and experience the aesthetics of electronic artwork. This interactive video projection asks the viewer many questions about the nature of art and experience as well as about dimensions of control. El Paso Museum of Art, One Arts Festival Plaza. Info: 915.532.1707 or www.elpasoartmuseum.org.
June 1 - Aug. 24, Alfresco Fridays. Free outdoor concerts to be presented by the city of El Paso Museums & Cultural Affairs Department. El Paso Convention Center. Fridays from 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Info: 915.541.4481.
June 1 - Sept. 9, “Sister Cities Testing Boundaries: Art and Artists along the U.S./Mexico Border.” SCTB investigates why the U.S./Mexico border and the frequent passage of ideas, culture and people found there has become an increasingly crucial subject that produces numerous misunderstood realities and paradoxes. This multi-state and bi-national exhibition explores the work of emerging and established living artists working in a variety of media and testing physical, aesthetic and conceptual boundaries. Including artists such as Margarita Cabrera, Gaspar Enriquez, Carlos Gomez, Louis Hock, Alfred Quiroz, Mauricio Saenz and Einar and James de la Torre. El Paso Museum of Art, One Arts Festival Plaza. Info: 915.532.1707 or www.elpasoartmuseum.org.
June 1 - Sept. 30, “Jose Cisneros: A Life in Art.” Paying homage to one of El Paso’s most prolific artists, the exhibition will follow Cisneros’ life and career from his youthful years in Durango, Juárez and El Paso, when he discovered his love of art, to his greatest achievement “Riders Across the Centuries: Horsemen of the Spanish Borderlands.” Inspired by a deep connection to the history of the Southwest, Cisneros has spent a lifetime turning his passions into art. El Paso Museum of Art, One Arts Festival Plaza. Info: 915.532.1707 or www.elpasoartmuseum.org.
June 16, El Paso Museum of History’s Big Fun Saturday. In celebration of El Paso’s newest museum, an extraordinary day of events has been planned for families and their loved ones. Festivities will be held inside the museum and in the adjacent city park, Cleveland Square, with music and dance exploring the region’s various cultures, interactive, story-based performances, ongoing craft workshops for children and adults, face painting, workshops introducing Nahuatl (an ancient indigenous language spoken in Mexico), the Mexica (Aztec) Calendar and bread-making workshops using the new outdoor horno (adobe oven). 510 Santa Fe Street. 12 p.m. - 5 p.m. Info: 915.532.1707 or send an e-mail to MurphyJR@elpasotexas.gov.
June 21, Culture Cruise. A tradition from 1995 to 2004, El Paso’s Culture Cruise returns to the high seas of Downtown El Paso, making at least 10 stops including the brand new El Paso Museum of History, private galleries, as well as the Art Junction and Creative Kids’ Olo Gallery, among others. Refreshments will be served and live music will be offered at many locations. Downtown El Paso. 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. Thursday, June 21. Sun Metro will provide trolley transportation for 25 cents a ride, or free to anyone and their guests who park for $3 at Union Plaza Transit Terminal, 400 W. San Antonio. Info: 915.533.0048.
June 22, El Paso Magazine Best of El Paso Party. Come join El Paso Magazine in celebrating the winners of our third annual Best of El Paso Survey. An evening of food and fun, the party will be held Downtown at the El Paso Museum of Art. One Arts Festival Plaza. Festivities begin at 6 p.m. Info: 915.351.0605.
June 30 - July 1, Downtown Street Festival. The entire El Paso Convention Center area, including the Abraham Chavez Theatre and the Union Plaza District, will celebrate Independence Day. The event includes live music, fireworks, a children’s area, vendors, food booths and more. Info: 915.532.0600.
July 1 - 27, El Paso Museum of Art Kids Summer Camps. Now taking place for youths ages 5 - 14. Classes run Tuesday through Friday. El Paso Museum of Art, One Arts Festival Plaza. Info: 915.532.1707 or www.elpasoartmuseum.org.
July 1 - 27, Kids N Co. Summer Camps. The El Paso Playhouse will host its 2007 theater summer camp. Registration is limited— first come, first serve basis. EP Playhouse, 1301 Texas. Info: 915.351.1455.
July 1 - 31, Annual Patriotic Exhibit. Members of the El Paso Art Association are being urged to submit work for the “Three Cheers for the Red, White and Blue” Exhibit. All painting mediums will be accepted, as well as sculpture and photography. Cash awards totaling $1,300 will be presented to the winners. Crossland Gallery, 500 W. Paisano at Durango. Info: 915.534.7377.
July 1 - Aug. 24, Tom Lea Centennial Retrospective. The Adair Margo Gallery will be featuring paintings and drawings by the internationally acclaimed artist Tom Lea in celebration of his centennial year. Paintings and drawings will be loaned by local collectors, many of which have never been exhibited in public. The gallery will also feature original drawings and sketches by Tom Lea for purchase. Other collectors’ items will be available, including original prints and books written or illustrated by Tom Lea. Adair Margo Gallery, 415 E. Yandell. Info: 915.533.0048.
July 1 - Sept. 28, Art and Sol Project. The project features 12 large spheres or sols (Spanish word for “sun”) painted and decorated by some of the region’s finest artists displaying their talent and pride in the Sun City. The sols will be placed as beacons to guide the public to various summer events around Downtown El Paso. Info: 915.541.4895.
July 6, Charlie Russell. The city of El Paso’s Museum and Cultural Affairs Department presents Alfresco Fridays every Friday on the Arts Festival Plaza Downtown. This week, well-known country musician Charlie Russell will perform at the plaza located between the Museum of Art and The Plaza Theatre. Arts Festival Plaza. 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Info: 915.541.4481 or e-mail mcad@elpasotexas.gov.
July 8, 15, 22 & 29, Music Under the Stars. The City of El Paso Museum and Cultural Affairs Department presents free outdoor concerts. Expect to see Lavay Smith on the July 8, Majestadad on the 15th, The Next Chapter on the 22nd and Incendio on the 29th. Chamizal National Memorial, 800 S. San Marcial. 7:30 p.m. Info: 915.541.4481.
July 13, Windy City. The city of El Paso’s Museum and Cultural Affairs Department presents Alfresco Fridays every Friday on the Arts Festival Plaza Downtown. This week, the Chicago tribute band Windy City will perform at the plaza located between the Museum of Art and The Plaza Theatre. Arts Festival Plaza. 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Info: 915.541.4481 or e-mail mcad@elpasotexas.gov.
July 13 & 14, Battle of the Champions. The Karate Tournament is sponsored by the National Blackbelt League and the Southwest Karate Group. El Paso Convention Center. Competition begins at 5 p.m. on Friday and at 9 a.m. on Saturday. Info: 915.329.3008.
July 14 & 15, Provost Gun Show. The El Maida Provost Guard gun, small antique and Southwest art show. El Maida Shrine Temple, 6331 Alabama. 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. on Saturday, and 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets: $5. Ages 10 and younger are free. Visitors age 18 or younger must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Info: 915.241.1761.
July 20, Sangre Gitana. The city of El Paso’s Museum and Cultural Affairs Department presents Alfresco Fridays every Friday on the Arts Festival Plaza Downtown. This week, Sangre Gitana will perform at the plaza located between the Museum of Art and The Plaza Theatre. Arts Festival Plaza. 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Info: 915.541.4481 or e-mail mcad@elpasotexas.gov.
July 27, Mariachi Los Toritos. The city of El Paso’s Museum and Cultural Affairs Department presents Alfresco Fridays every Friday on the Arts Festival Plaza Downtown. This week, Mariachi Los Toritos will perform at the plaza located between the Museum of Art and The Plaza Theatre. Arts Festival Plaza. 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Info: 915.541.4481 or e-mail mcad@elpasotexas.gov.
