New Mexico State University’s Borderlands and Ethnic Studies Department unveiled a set of new murals at the O’Donnell Hall lobby on Jan. 26, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. The murals depict images of kids, parents, the elderly, and their communities interacting with one another, highlighting the artists’ and BEST’s message of unity.
The event opened with an indigenous blessing at the hall’s front entranced, followed by music, food, and speeches given by the mural artists.
The painters had only seven days to complete the set of two murals. The upper mural, divided into four sections, illustrates the history of the Southern New Mexico, from the first inhabitants of the Americas leaving their marks at the White Sands, to U.S. Westward Expansion. The lower mural depicts the future of the region; portraying a tomorrow of racial healing and unity and displaying the cultural vibrancy of the Las Cruces area.
Head of the BEST Department, Dr. Dulcinea Lara, reflected upon the murals’ message of understanding the past and its connection to the future the department strives for.
“I feel like one thing we keep forgetting in our education is the importance of our history,” Lara said. “Of knowing where we are from, knowing this place, even if you are not originally from here, and knowing the rootedness and sacredness of this place. I believe that when people know their history, we are much better equipped for the future.”
To Saba, a Native American artist among the group who worked on the paintings, the murals represent his local community and its indigeneity.
“This is a big shout out to our ancestors that have been here prior to American existence, and you know, lived through a traumatic time in order for us to be here. It is a shout out even to the people came here without permission, but that want to uphold the cultural value of our heritage as indigenous,” Saba said.
When students walk by the murals every day on their way to class, artist Celina Corral-Areola hopes they become inspired for change and compassion.
“I hope they are inspired and curious about understanding and learning more about how we should treat each other with love and respect. And to care for one another in this community,” Corral said.
Senior artist Citlali Delgado said recent shifts in the country’s political climate only embolden the mural’s message of unity and strength.
“You know, this mural is built on resistance,” Delgado said. “I feel that is what we should keep on creating action towards. This is about perseverance. A big part of this is that not only did we make a painting about our history, but we made one of the murals about the future. How can we move forward, and how can we manifest a world of truth and brownness? Especially after inauguration, everyone is iffy about the future, and I do not want people to feel that way.”
On the walls and pillars of the O’Donnell Hall lobby, several papers were posted describing the meanings and details of the murals. Each with versions in both Spanish and English. One of them, the Artists’ Statement, concludes with a message for future generations of students.
“We offer these murals to all the peoples who have lived here, who continue to live here, and who will migrate here—so we all have better perspectives and knowledge about true history, beauty, and vast possibilities in ourselves and each other.”
