Peñasco | 100% Community Mural
Celebrated Artist Jodie Herrera
to Create New Mural at Peñasco Schools in June
The Paseo Project and 100% Taos County Initiative partner with Peñasco Independent Schools District to create a mural that celebrates Community Schools shared mission while expanding public art initiative
Peñasco, NM — The Paseo Project with 100% TCI is proud to announce its latest public art initiative: a large-scale mural by celebrated artist Jodie Herrera, to be painted on the Peñasco Independent Schools District campus in June 2025. Known for her powerful portraiture centering women and cultural resilience, Herrera will spend two weeks in Peñasco creating a new site-specific work that reflects the spirit, stories, and strength of the local community.
In her words, Herrera describes the mural as, “an image of the Jicarita Mountain set behind a Cholla cactus blossom, which is local to the area. The cactus blossom represents the beauty and resilience of the Peñasco community. The turquoise linear design running through the mural honors the rich acequia culture and history. For the youth of the school, as well as the community of Peñasco, the butterflies represent transformation into one’s highest potential.”
The mural is created in collaboration with the 100% Taos County Initiative and its subcommittee, the Community Schools Action Team, to recognize the role of community schools in supporting Taos County students and families, and to celebrate Peñasco Independent Schools District as a vibrant community school. PISD, along with Picuris Pueblo, Taos Pueblo, Taos County, Town of Taos, Taos Municipal Schools District and 100% TCI are also honored to officially launch the work of Taos County’s Community Schools Coalition, a project four years in the making to support the Community Schools model across the County.
The project culminates in a Community Mural Day and Taos County Community Schools Coalition ribbon-cutting on Saturday, June 28, 1-3pm, inviting local residents, students, families, and neighbors to join in painting and celebration.
The mural will be painted with support by The Paseo Project’s Summer Interns, a youth leadership cohort from across Taos County who will assist with the installation and gain hands-on experience in public art production. This project is part of The Paseo Project’s expanding public art program, which brings large-scale, community-informed artworks to Northern New Mexico. These projects aim to make art accessible to all, while engaging artists, youth, and communities in meaningful collaboration.
The Peñasco mural is made possible through a partnership with Peñasco Independent Schools and in alignment with the values of 100% Taos County Initiative, a statewide initiative working to ensure that every family has access to the services and supports they need to survive and thrive.
For more about artist Jodie Herrera, visit jodieherrera.com.
To learn more about The Paseo Project and its public art initiatives, visit paseoproject.org.
Learn more about 100% Taos County Initiative: 100nm.org/taos
Learn more about Community Schools: turquoisev@taoscountynm.gov
100% Taos County Initiative:
The 100% Taos County Initiative is a grassroots project that uses an evidence-based collective and community impact model to ensure everyone in Taos County has access to the ten vital services they need to survive and thrive. It is part of a statewide initiative developed by the Anna Age Eight Institute at New Mexico State University. 100% Taos surveys residents about their experience accessing services, incorporates other local, state, and national data and reports, and collaborates with local agencies, schools, government, and community in Ten Action Teams to develop realistic solutions to fill the gaps. The 100% Mural Projects recognize the vital role of the Arts in community to survive and thrive and bring the objectives of the Initiative to life. https://www.100nm.org/taos/
Peñasco Independent Schools District
The Peñasco Independent School District serves students from Picuris Pueblo and the dozen small communities located around Peñasco. The district's project-based learning initiative focuses on the culture and history of the community and creating career and college pathways for students.
The Paseo Project:
The Paseo Project is a Taos County based arts nonprofit working to transform art through community and community through art. Since 2014, they have brought projection, performance, and installation art to the streets of Taos with free, community events. Known for their signature fall PASEO Festival event, The Paseo Project conducts year-round programming, including an Artist in Residence program, Youth Internship program, STEAM education workshops, and a number of Community Collaboration projects celebrating art and creativity in Taos County. Learn more at www.paseoproject.org