By Allyson Joy

The Artesia Arts & Cultural District is at it again! A new mural is underway on the Heritage Plaza’s Pump House just northeast of Heritage Walkway. 

As the process goes for many local murals, The Artesia Arts & Cultural District issues a public Request for Proposals. Designs are submitted, and a small selection committee chooses the best creative for the space. Thanks to the generous funding of the TLC2 Foundation, Artesians are about to have another public painting to enjoy.

Despite learning of this opportunity only 2 days before the deadline, Artist Oscar Hernandez did not miss a beat as he spent those 2 days creating. His design was chosen for the pump house and it is now coming to fruition. 

Hernandez’s inspiration came from a trio of loves: Artesia, family, and music. Hernandez says that Artesia is a “come-together town” and music has a way of doing just that. The painting depicts a Mariachi Band, a genre of music that has significance for his family and represents a rich heritage in New Mexico. 

To the left side of the mural, the trumpet player highlights the trumpet’s unique role in a Mariachi Band. The 3 players on the right were inspired by Hernandez’s 3 nephews. For many years the Ocotillo welcomed various Mariachi Bands from around the country. Attending these performances was a tradition for Hernandez’s family. This sparked a love for Mariachi Bands in his nephews, an interest they still have to this day. 

Weather permitting, the project is scheduled for completion in the next week. Be sure to stop by the Heritage Plaza to see the latest local mural. Hernandez’s love for Artesia, family, and music, together with his incredible talent, leaves a mark in this public space for all of us to enjoy.