The Mimbres Region Arts Council's 13th annual Youth Mural Camp will run from Monday, July 8 through Friday, July 19. This year’s mural camp takes place on the WNMU campus with a painted mural on Barnard Hall, accompanied by activities at the Science Building-Harlan Hall.

Visiting artist Roger Peet and local artist Alison Phillips will lead this year’s Youth Mural Camp. Peet is the coordinator for the Endangered Species Mural Program--a national effort to paint murals of threatened and endangered wildlife in the communities near to where they are found. His painting style will inspire this year’s mural design. Mural campers also will work on a variety of creative activities that may include silk screening, mono printing, ceramics and more.

With support from Heart of the Gila and the staff from WNMU Department of Natural Resources, this year’s mural camp promises to be an exciting and fun educational experience with hands on activities focused on the biodiversity of the plants and animals of the Gila region.

Mural Camp tuition for children 6-12 is $165 for 2 weeks and $110 for 1 week. Some scholarships are available. Campers attend camp from 9 am - 12 pm each day.  

Apprentice Interns are ages 13-14; their tuition is free with work hours from 8:30-3:30. Interns are 15 and older and are a paid position and act as "camp counselors”. Their work hours are from 8:30-3:30. Interns help work with the campers on the mural work and craft activities. 

Applications for campers and interns are available at the MRAC office located in the Wells Fargo Bank, 1201 Pope Street, or call 575-538-2505, Tues-Fri from 9-4, at  Leyba & Ingalls ARTS, 315 N. Bullard Street, Mon-Sat 10-6, 575-388-5725, and at the Silver City Library 515 W College 575-538-3672.

The mural dedication is on Friday, July 19 at 12 pm.

The Mural Site Sponsors are the Center for Biological Diversity, Heart of the Gila, and WNMU.

The Youth Mural Program Sponsors are the Town of Silver City, Lineberry Foundation, Comcast, Syzygy Tileworks, Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate, Morning Star, Finishing Touch, J&J Signs, and Leyba & Ingalls ARTS. Program Funders are the National Endowment for the Arts and New Mexico Arts.

More about the Endangered Species Mural Project:

The Center for Biological Diversity’s Endangered Species Mural Project is a national effort to paint murals of threatened and endangered wildlife in the communities near to where they are found. With twenty murals installed so far in cities and towns across the US, the project creates beautiful educational landmarks that serve to foster a civic environmental pride in the species that make the places we live unique. The murals are coordinated by Portland artist Roger Peet, who works with local artists, scientists, educators, and students to create each mural, inviting youth and other members of the community to participate in their installation and in the presentation of the completed work to the general public

More about Heart of the Gila

Heart of the Gila, a local non-profit, is excited to help sponsor this year’s Youth Mural Project by hosting visiting artist Roger Peet. “The protection of wild places and all the creatures that depend on them is at the center of our education program,” said Heart of the Gila founder, Patrice Mutchnick. Heart of the Gila celebrates the lives of Ella Jaz Kirk, Michael Mahl and Ella Myers--all three were gifted artists, musicians and environmental advocates. According to Mutchnick, “helping support this year’s Endangered Species Mural honors our children’s passion for both science and art and helps pass on that love to other children in our community. We’re honored to be a part of this opportunity.”