Las Vegas, New Mexico

In the summer of 2022, Las Vegas had just just experienced their largest wildfire in history. Despite having the most rain they have had in years, their main water supply was contaminated from fire debris. Many people had lost their homes, animals were displaced, and the community didn’t know if they would have any clean water the next month.

I was asked to design a mural encompassing the spirit of New Mexico. The mural serves a symbol of hope and pride for the small town of Las Vegas. The landscape contains Hermits peak-the mountain range where the fires took place, the yucca flower- the state flower of New Mexico, and New Mexico’s state symbol- the zia sun. The praying hands serves to unify the community under any religion they may practice to pray for the land and the families from which the fires had affected.