If El Paso has an inferiority complex about its art scene and its cultural history, the El Paso Illustrator Collective (EPIC) wants to turn that all around with a little art therapy. On July 25-27, they will present “Southwest Iconica: El Paso,” a show featuring artistic representations of some of El Paso’s best-known celebrities at the city’s 2nd Floor Gallery.
In an interview with whatsuppub.com, EPIC co-founder Manny Martinez, discusses the local scene. “Some people tell me there’s nothing to do here, there’s no big art scene, no big music scene,” he said. “It’s still growing; it’s still a work in progress, if you will. A lot of people don’t have enough patience for it.”
Who are these inspirational El Paso icons represented by the artists? EPIC cites a partial list: “Star Trek” creator Gene Roddenberry, retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, and Eddie Guerrero of the WWF.
“There are a lot of people that are discouraged and want to move to a different town where the art scene is already made,” says Martinez, “but you have to start somewhere. You have to get people that are motivated enough to do it.”