Art student Angel Estrada from The University of New Mexico is working with children at a local elementary school on a project that will eventually enliven and beautify the streets of Albuquerque. He will graduate in December with a bachelor’s degree in Arts Education.
Estrada is originally from New York but moved to New Mexico in 2021 at the urging of his mentor Santa Fe potter Romig Streeter. Along with art teacher Tanya Silva at Lew Wallace Elementary School, he is involved in an Albuquerque Public Schools project with the City of Albuquerque. At Lew Wallace Elementary, the art teachers and children are collaborating with the City of Albuquerque to enhance the downtown landscape. Students are creating unique designs that will soon adorn a trail throughout the area.
“I am interested in the lenses of visual culture and community-based art education when thinking about my teaching style, so this project is right up my alley,” he said.
Estrada got involved with the project by luck when UNM paired him with Silva at the school.
“We were a great fit after meeting. Last year, Lew Wallace did another collaboration with Amy Biehl High School that involved working with a local artist through 516 Arts to create 18 unique encaustic works that are being featured at Castle Coffee for September’s Art Walk. This year’s project that I am involved in continues the collaborative spirit between Lew Wallace and Amy Biehl but with additional support from the City of Albuquerque regarding funding and city council advice on our options to help enrich the Downtown arts with two schools that reside downtown,” he explained.
Silva suggested that Estrada take the lead to deepen his student teaching experience.
“I wanted to take a fearless approach to student teaching, no matter my anxieties or uncertainties, so I said, ‘Sure!’ I devised a presentation that introduced the students to the geographic location of Downtown, gave examples of the various artworks in the area, and reviewed the meaning of symbolism. I used a questionnaire to help students brainstorm their thoughts about Downtown with questions like ‘What makes you proud of living or going to school downtown?’ and “What are some things that symbolize downtown Albuquerque?’ The first day was just about brainstorming and sketching their ideas on templates.”
There have been some change in the project details, Estrada noted. Originally the project called for student designs to be applied as decals to downtown waste bins.
“But the plan now is to transfer the kids’ art using sidewalk decals to make a trail from the two collaborating schools leading down to Central Avenue to bring awareness to the vibrant community that exists within the area. Decal testing is also happening, which could mean the bins and the sidewalks will feature art.”
The next session with the city council is coming up and Estrada hopes to confirm the designs for an October or November unveiling.
“However, we are flying the plane as we build it, so we need some flexibility as we move the project along. The artwork theme relates to “doodles” and primarily aims to get the viewpoints of our students and allow their voices to be seen in a public way as they contribute to the beautification of their city.” Although the project extends past Estrada’s stint at Lew Wallace, he hopes to make an appearance for the remaining sessions to see the project through.
“Angel has brought such energy, engagement, and excitement to my art classroom,” Silva said. “His eagerness to challenge students and himself is truly inspiring. It takes me back to the excitement I felt as a first-year teacher and inspires me. He has a natural talent for engaging students in art. I can’t wait to see where his career will lead him.”
Estrada’s personal favorite medium is clay.
“My education bug came from teaching ceramic classes, and I miss having a steady community clay class to teach. However, at UNM, I have dived deeper into woodworking and metalwork. I will learn 3D printing this semester in an independent study with [UNM sculpture faculty member] Welly Fletcher, and I hope to have a small show featuring my body of work in December. I hope to bring a wide-ranging skillset to my future classroom.”
Estrada expressed gratitude for his education at UNM.
“My professors are world-class, and I am proud to say it. Being in such a small department has also allowed for camaraderie between my cohort, and we are really leaning into each other for support as we brave our first classes in the wild. UNM has primed me in many ways to understand the deep learning that can go on in the art room and take my job in education seriously. I am optimistic that the connections and relationships I forged through my program will lead to excellent career opportunities and friendships.”
Top image: UNM student Angel Estrada explains various city art projects.