By
Erin Coulehan
Photography by
Jordan Licon
La Nube STEAM Learning Center is more than just a museum; it’s a vibrant fusion of art, science, and creativity, where local artists have come together to transform the space into a living canvas. With installations that draw from the natural world and encourage exploration, La Nube celebrates the intersection of community, education, and artistry. Among the local artists involved in the massive undertaking are Christin Apodaca, Mitsu Overstreet, and Gabriel Marquez, who have made major artistic contributions to the center, each bringing their unique vision and style to this dynamic environment.
The artists have created a space that is both visually stunning and intellectually stimulating.
Their work not only beautifies the center but also serves as a gateway for visitors to explore themes of nature, science, and community. At La Nube, art is more than decoration – it’s an invitation to engage, learn, and connect with the world around us.
Christin Apodaca: A Love Letter to the Desert
Christin Apodaca’s mural at La Nube is an ode to the Chihuahuan Desert, a landscape she deeply cherishes. Her playful yet deeply intentional depiction of the region’s flora and fauna creates a connection between the local environment and the visitors exploring the center. Apodaca, known for her detailed and thoughtful approach to her work, wanted the mural to feel as though it belonged to the space from the start. “I wanted it to feel like it’s been here the whole time,” she says, reflecting on how she carefully integrated La Nube’s color palette into her design.
Her mural doesn’t just bring the desert indoors; it invites viewers (both young and old) into a dialogue with art. “I am hoping that all of these kids and all these parents kind of find a place with art,” she explains, underscoring the importance of creativity in daily life. Apodaca’s artistic journey is one of persistence and passion, a lesson she hopes to pass on: “If you like it, you should keep doing it.”
Mitsu Overstreet: Bridging Art and Education
At the heart of La Nube’s Flow exhibit, artist Mitsu Overstreet’s terrazzo bench offers a seamless blend of beauty and education. Known for his large-scale public art projects that foster connections within communities, Overstreet’s work at La Nube builds on his expertise in creating meaningful, interactive installations. The 22-foot bench, with its intricate brass and zinc inlays of South Texas plants and animals, is not just a place to rest: it’s also a learning tool.
Visitors can scan QR codes embedded in the bench to explore educational content about the water cycle and the desert ecosystem. Overstreet’s design brings the desert’s relationship with water into focus, something he felt was missing from the exhibit. “I wanted to bring that a little bit closer, like how animals are affected by it,” he explains. His design, inspired by his previous work at the El Paso International Airport, speaks to the broader theme of water conservation, but with a local twist, highlighting how vital water is to the desert’s plants and animals.
Gabriel Marquez: Dreamscapes of Motion and Stillness
Gabriel Marquez’s contribution to La Nube adds a layer of surrealism and introspection to the center’s artistic landscape. Known for his intricate linear drawings, Marquez’s work explores the tension between motion and stillness, creating mesmerizing forms that seem to float between worlds. For La Nube, he transformed his delicate pencil drawings into a large-scale installation, working closely with fabricators to ensure every line retained its precision and fluidity.
“This is the first major project that I’ve done for the city of El Paso,” Marquez says, expressing pride in his role at La Nube. His artwork encourages a different kind of interaction, one that is more introspective and personal. Marquez believes in the importance of sharing art with others: “When you don’t show it, it’s all in your head. You don’t really know what people think about it.”
For him, art is about experience – both for the creator and the viewer.
