ELPCC : EPCC Shares Spirit At Chalk The Block

El Paso TX

19 October, 2021

10:34 AM

Description

Press release from the El Paso Community College: October 18, 2021 El Paso Community College (EPCC) has always distinguished itself by participating and helping the El Paso community stand out in any way. EPCC's Art Assistant Professor, Zoe Spiliotis and students Jazmin Solis, Transmountain campus, Ximena Santellanes, Valle Verde campus, and Sophia Montenegro, Northwest Early College High School, took this to heart by participating at the annual Chalk the Block (CTB). With a two-year Associate of Arts Degree in Art program designed for individuals interested in pursuing a career in the field of art and/or for expressive personal endeavors by providing fundamental training in the visual arts, EPCC has potential local artists hungry to showcase their artistic skills. Events such as CTB, give the opportunity to our students to express themselves and show their talent to the community. Each year, about 200 local, national, and international artists from all disciplines participate at Chalk the Block (CTB) creating a fun, quirky, and diverse environment for people of all ages to enjoy. The event features Temporary interactive art installations, live dance and theatrical performances, a sidewalk chalk art competition, live bands, art and food vendors, access to various activities and exhibits at both the El Paso Museum of Art and Museum of History, and more! "Being in Chalk the Block makes me feel literally like a kid with chalk, but on a whole other level," Jazmin Solis said. "It makes me so happy and proud to be making art and being surrounded by other local artists in a festival made for art. CTB gives me the opportunity to show a piece of my imagination and spread the art awareness we so need." EPCC art instructors not only teach the basics of artistic design but also, encourage their students to get involved in extracurricular activities that give them learning experiences in art and propose challenges that force them to continually improve themselves. "I am incredibly impressed with the boldness, dedication, and level of commitment these student artists have shown to their art practice," Zoe Z. Spiliotis said. "Through their involvement in this Public Art Festival, these students received a real-life, practical experience, an opportunity to compete on a professional level, learn the importance of presentation and professionalism, and develop the skills required to become successful artists. They rose to the challenge, and their artwork will enrich the visual environment and strengthen the sense of place in the greater El Paso community." Since its inception, CTB has quickly become one of El Paso's premiere events and the largest FREE three-day public arts festival in the Southwest region drawing more than 40,000 people annually. In 2019, CTB is celebrating 12 years of reimagining downtown El Paso through the power of art while providing an "out of this world" experience for its attendees. This press release was produced by the El Paso Community College. The views expressed here are the author's own.