The UNM-Taos Library is hosting a dedication of a public mural by George Chacón and a reception highlighting the newly beautified entry/courtyard at 115 Civic Plaza Drive. The public is invited to join the UNM-Taos community for the dedication on November 9 from 3:00- 5:30pm at the UNM-Taos Library. The reception will include refreshments and music. Sponsored by the UNM-Taos Water Institute and UNM-Taos Student Government, muralist George Chacón and a team of community volunteers have transformed a harsh, unshaded area into a welcoming, plant-filled courtyard. It all started when a group of UNM-Taos employees commented on the lack of a welcoming atmosphere for the students. The project began with a few planters and led to a community collaboration that has taken on a life of its own. Native trees and shrubs, a colorful mural, shade sails, and rain-water catchment systems now make the entry/courtyard an inviting area for students and community members. Students of Mark Goldman, who teaches dual credit UNM classes at Taos High School, are designing and building garden planter boxes with more benches. The greening of the courtyard serves as an example of promoting effective and meaningful sustainable landscape methods. Public art supporting water awareness compliments the systems installed to provide water for the new plants. The committee of Ana Pacheco, UNM-Taos Assistant Librarian, Enrico Trujillo, Library Information Specialist and Peter Callan, UNM-Taos Water Institute work-study student, coordinated the community assistance. Bob Pederson of Tierra Lucero donated compost for the planters, Tomás Trujillo responded with volunteers from the 8th Judicial District Attorney’s office Pre- Prosecution Diversion Program, and other community members donated time and labor.
Ana Pacheco, Library Specialist III
UNM-Taos Library
575-737-6242
