Foundations hosts groundbreaking event for ‘Star Ceiling’ project
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) – The El Paso Museum of Art Foundation (EPMAF) in collaboration with the Paso del Norte Community Foundation (PdNCF) held a groundbreaking event on the new Star Ceiling project on Thursday, Jan. 18 at the Arts Festival Plaza.
Foundation officials, along with project managers from Jordan Foster, inSitu architects and representatives from the El Paso Museum of Art, celebrated the private fundraising efforts totaling $5.5 million, according to a press release sent by Mithoff Burton Partners (MBP).
Invited guests included donors to the project, civic and business leaders, City of El Paso staff and elected officials.
Additionally, El Paso-raised artist Leo Villareal, who was engaged by the EPMAF to design and permanently install the Star Ceiling, was in town to participate in the groundbreaking ceremony.
The Star Ceiling will be located in front of the El Paso Museum of Art, at the foot of Arts Festival Plaza and directly across from the Paso Del Norte Hotel.
MBP says the site-specific installation will consist of a suspended LED array, zero gravity benches carved out of local stone and planters with species indigenous to the Chihuahuan Desert.
The 120-foot LED array will be composed of 13,500 individually addressable, monochrome and energy-efficient LEDs activated by Villareal in non-repeating patterns. This unique interactive display will never repeat the same light patterns, creating a different experience for every visitor, according to MBP.
“Having grown up in El Paso and Juarez, I have many fond memories of observing the night sky over the desert, and the vast expanse of city lights arrayed across the landscape. Star Ceiling (El Paso) encapsulates many of these influences. I’m honored to bring this immersive, site-specific artwork to the south entrance plaza of the El Paso Museum of Art. My hope is to create a greater sense of connection and community as the people of El Paso gather underneath this canopy of light,” said Villareal.
“We are so very pleased to have Leo with us today, to have reached our fundraising goal, and to finally break ground on this exciting and innovative project,” said Judy Robison, development chair of the El Paso Museum of Art Foundation. “The Star Ceiling will be a celestial gem for all El Pasoans to enjoy when visiting downtown.”
“Star Ceiling will be a great addition to the downtown landscape – a free and accessible gathering space designed to encourage connection, communication and community for residents and visitors to the region,” said Tracy J. Yellen, CEO of the Paso del Norte Community Foundation. “We are grateful for the El Paso Museum of Art Foundation and donors for their vision and generosity.”
The Star Ceiling was approved in accordance with an agreement with the City of El Paso in Nov. 2021. The EPMAF pledged to raise the funds required to design, construct, install and permanently maintain Star Ceiling.
MBP says construction is scheduled to run through early fall of 2024, at which time Star Ceiling will be gifted to the city. $500,000 will be held in the PdNCF for purposes related to the operational upkeep and maintenance of the installation.
“We are incredibly grateful to the EPMA Foundation’s generous commission of Star Ceiling, which will transform the Museum’s Plaza into a beacon of light for the over 2 million El Pasoans and visitors annually to the Downtown Arts District,” said Ben Fyffe, managing director – Quality of Life for the City of El Paso.
“Star Ceiling will anchor the Downtown Arts District in a compelling way, turning passersby’s into stargazers. It’s a bold installation capable of setting the tone for awe, wonder, and introspection in El Paso’s cultural epicenter. The Museum embraces this gift from the Foundation, and looks ahead to all the public engagement opportunities under the stars,” said Edward Hayes, director of the El Paso Museum of Art.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
