Artist Laura Turón unveils immersive gallery in El Paso's Lincoln Park neighborhood

Artist Laura Turón hasn’t taken a break since closing up shop on her space at Hacienda Apodaca in San Elizario a year ago.

“I went to Acapulco, Mexico, for a few months and did some murals there,” she said. “I worked on a new piece for the (Paradox Traveling Art Bus); it was an art takeover by (El Paso Community College assistant professor of art) Zoe Spiliotis and EPCC students.”

The colorful, geometric EPCC bus exhibit will be at Friday’s opening of Paradox Immersive Art, 3915 Rosa Ave., and will be up through Saturday.

“After that, we take it down to install the new art piece,” she said.

After returning from Mexico, Turón also spent time in northern New Mexico.

“I went to Taos, New Mexico, to showcase one of the exhibits titled 'Imperfectly Aligned,' had an exhibit at the Rubin Center at UTEP, an exhibition in the art museum of Juárez, started working on a new art piece that will be installed in the Paradox Traveling Art Bus, using LED sound and interactive LED lights; this is a collaboration with Genuine Reference Studios,” she said. “This exhibit will travel to Lubbock, Odessa, and Marshall, Texas.”

Her new gallery in South-Central El Paso was made possible by a grant from the city of El Paso’s Museum and Cultural Affairs Department and the National Endowment for the Arts, Turón said.

“We also got support from Raiz (Federal Credit Union), and I have been working with my gallery assistants, volunteers, and my community partner, David Delgado, on installing all the art pieces at the new location ... and getting ready to open.”

In opening up her new space, Turón is taking over the site that formerly was Galeria Lincoln, which along with the thriving Old Sheepdog Brewery, 3900 Rosa Ave., helped revitalize the Lincoln Park area.

“It’s great!” she said. “It’s a great space, big enough to hold all the art installations and set up the art shop.”

Being located in the Lincoln Park area also is a connection with the area’s rich art history.

“I think it connects everything; having all the murals, art, and cultural events at the park makes this area an art go-to spot in the city, where people can see and learn more about different art styles and local artists.”

More: Laura Turón, David Delgado's immersive art experience turns visitors into creators

More: Paradox Bus will open its doors to interactive art, mural

Being across the street from Old Sheepdog Brewery, which is known for supporting the El Paso arts community through promotions and pop-up exhibits, also offers unique opportunities.

“I look forward to collaborating with Old Sheepdog; they are great art supporters and actively organize events,” she said. “I have talked to the owner and the manager to see how to collaborate more. For now, they will be open the day of the opening, and they also have food trucks parked outside. So, all visitors can get art, food, and craft beer across the street from one another.”

For $15 per adult and $10 per child, the immersive art space will offer visitors a multisensory, interactive experience.

“Paradox Pyramid and the Paradox Bus will be there,” Turón said. “When not on tour, the bus will be showcased there regularly.”

Turón also is using the site to showcase other Borderland artists.

“We also feature three new art exhibits from artists Isadora Stowe, Zoe Spiliotis, EPCC students, and Ruben Reveles’ 'Chicano Glitch' projection," Turón said. "We will also have interactive community art installations, where people can participate in the art piece.”

More: Galeria Lincoln, artist Laura Turón offer El Pasoans a chance to become part of the art

The gallery’s regular hours will be from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, by appointment and by special event reservation.

“We will sell art prints, original art and merchandise created by the participating artists in our shop,” said Turón, who plans diverse offerings at the gallery.

“I plan on organizing special events and DJ sets and having guest artists; I also plan on switching some of the art installations to highlight more artists and also showcase any new work that I create.”

Turón appreciates the support she has received from the community.

“Please support local art projects,” she said. “This gallery is created with the effort of local artists and can stay open with the community's support through ticket and artwork sales. We hope to keep this project available to the community for as long as possible, and we can only do that with your support. Also, if anyone would like to volunteer, please get in touch with us at info@LT-artdesign.com."

On Instagram

• Laura Turón: https://www.instagram.com/turonlaura

• Paradox Immersive Art: https://www.instagram.com/paradoximmersiveart

• Isadora Stowe: https://www.instagram.com/isadorastowe

• David Delgado: https://www.instagram.com/mister_self_destruct

• Zoe Spiliotis: https://www.instagram.com/zoe.zoimou.art

• Ruben Reveles: https://www.instagram.com/rurevel/

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Artist Laura Turón unveils new gallery in South-Central El Paso