On Nov. 22, New Mexico State University alum and local artist Citlali Delgado presented her latest piece yet, “Unexpected Pedestrians,” at the Mexican American Cultural Center (MACC) in El Paso, Texas. The artist’s work brings together cultural elements of the region she calls home.
The building hosting Delgado’s exhibit only opened its doors months beforehand on March 22. However, the MACC has its origins in the Quality of Life bond that El Paso voters approved in 2012. Located at 201 E Franklin Ave., the program’s mission is to celebrate the dynamic traditions and resiliency of the region’s culture through art and other creative means. Alongside the exhibit’s highlighted artwork, some of Delgado’s other pieces were displayed; showing the progress she has made in her artistic career ever since she began college at NMSU.
Delgado explained that her inspiration for the central piece comes from an electronic billboard on El Paso’s TX-375 Loop, near the U.S.-Mexico border, advising drivers to be cautious of migrants crossing into the highway from Mexico.
“I grew up with an artist father who always used the silhouetted image of the family running, which is the migrants crossing sign from California, which [he] used in his work,” Delgado said. “Now I feel like El Paso has its own version, with this billboard on the border freeway reading “watch out for unexpected pedestrians.” And I thought how interesting it is to word it that way, like you’re not supposed to have a bias when you’re writing those things, right? So, I wanted to do what is unexpected for me, because there are a lot of speculations and assumptions through the media of what the Borderlands are like, especially in this political climate. I wanted to do a flip on those perceptions and show like characters that I’ve grown up with in my life here.”
Delgado said she has been thinking about having her first solo art show in her hometown for some time. But when the MACC reached out to Delgado to publicly display her work, the artist’s dream became reality.
“It’s such a crazy feeling, because I always dreamed of my first one being in El Paso, in the place that I grew up, and especially in this new building,” Delgado said. “So, imagine me in this solo show, in this new building as one of the first ones here. Exactly in the heart of Downtown El Paso. It is super chilling, and I feel super proud; I couldn’t be happier.”
Accompanying Delgado was her partner, Isaiah Vazquez, who said that not only was Delgado’s art a showcase of her raw talent, but also a look into who she fundamentally is as a member of the Borderland community.
“I just immediately think of the strength that she carries as a person, and how present that is in all the work,” Vazquez said. “Like, that’s the biggest and the first word that came to my mind, the work is so ‘strong.’ The strength that’s depicted, especially in community, that’s what she’s really about. Everyday life, you know? And that to me is the best thing when you have an artist to talk about that.”
Several of NMSU’s staff and faculty also attended the art exhibit in support of the former Aggie. Head of NMSU’s BEST Department, Dulcinea Lara, had previously worked with Delgado to paint the murals of O’Donnell Hall’s lobby. Lara said that she encouraged more NMSU artists to have their own shows.
“I hope that we can be more like ‘neighbor cities,’” Lara said. “More NMSU art students should feature here at the MACC and in other galleries in El Paso. We do share the same region.”
Another visitor, Principal Investigator at NMSU’s College Assistance Migrant Program (or CAMP), Cynthia Bejarano, said that she was excited to see where Delgado’s career will take her in the future, both in the Borderlands and beyond.
“I am thrilled that El Paso was able to recognize what a gem she is, and how significant of a mark she is making, not just in this region, but nationally, and with everything that she does,” Bejarano said. “I think right now, seeing her work, you can’t imagine just the scale of perfection that she is going to accomplish in five years and 10 years from now. Her work is just incredibly dynamic. I’m not an artist, but for me, it’s the work of a master.”
