(A one-day installation – May 25th, 2022, 10 am to 3pm)

The Paseo Project has been working with Juanita Lavadie on a series of "Acequia Crosswalk" installations that we are set to finally install on the John Dunn pedestrian walkway. These painted 'pathways' help mark where the old acequias used to run downtown. We are doing a small test run at John Dunn, thanks to Polly Raye! 

Local artist, educator, and parciante, Juanita Lavadie, captured the essence of acequia culture through the beauty of three symbols.  Below is a more detailed description.

Our hope is that they spark conversation, increasing awareness of the fading acequias downtown - while inspiring new ways we can celebrate acequia culture. 

The stencils will be painted using outdoor latex and street paint. We anticipate them lasting through the summer. In addition, a temporary informational sign will be located off the sidewalk to provide information for visitors. 

This project is a part of a larger 4-year Acequia Aqui project funded by the LOR Foundation. Learn more at https://paseoproject.org/acequia-aqui 

WATER:  The idea of the design was to depict the flow of water. The water stencil imitates the random course of water flow within the confines of the land banks that flank the acequia.SHOVEL:This is how the farmer and acequia parciante manages the water, with the shovel. It is as basic and simple as it gets.  With all the complexities of knowing the land, the seasons, the water flow — and with cooperative work with the community — the acequia parciante needs and shares the water to prosper and thrive.

 SEEDS:The three stages are depicted together in a row. They represent the most time-consuming and laborious aspect of being acequia parciantes. The garden, the field of crops, the livestock, and the family members who depend on the harvest are all reliant on the work with land, water, and seed. Once the seeds sprout, the constant care and work is needed with thriving plants all the days, weeks, and months into cosecha (harvest).   

About the artist: JUANITA J. LAVADIE is a retired public school teacher of bilingual and art education. She has numerous textiles in permanent collections of various museums. She is also an active acequiera and had worked collaboratively with acequia water rights and the Taos Valley Acequia Association.