Future artists from the El Paso region, including talented students from the Socorro Independent School District, had the opportunity to connect with top art schools nationwide and showcase their artwork at Sun City Portfolio Day on Jan. 24.
One of the participants, Montwood High School junior Alexander Jauregui, said he was grateful for the chance to meet with representatives from prestigious art colleges, such as the California College of the Arts and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago at the event, which took place at El Paso Community College's Academic Service Center Building. Jauregui emphasized that traveling to their campuses was not an option for him.
“I think that's a really great opportunity so that it gives us more options,” Jauregui said about meeting with various colleges and universities from across the US right in El Paso. “It gives us more choices for what we might want to do. I'm really grateful that they did that because if not, I don't think I would have had the discipline to go out and do it myself.”
Sun City Portfolio Day is a collaborative effort between the Socorro, El Paso, and Ysleta school districts and EPCC. The event promotes artistic talent in the region, allowing high school and EPCC students to present their art portfolios to representatives from 19 colleges and universities. Participants receive feedback, learn about the admissions process, and may even be offered scholarships on-site.
SISD Assistant Director of Fine Arts Candace Printz said the event showcased the strong collaboration among the various school districts to ensure that all visual arts students in the city have access to exciting college and career opportunities.
"It's just been really great to combine skills with EPCC, YISD, SISD, EPISD," Printz said. "Although we're different districts, we all believe in the same thing, and we have an amazing committee that's come together, so I'm really happy that the kids are here."
El Dorado High School senior Natalie Guttierez was excited to attend the event after her teacher told her that she could receive feedback on her art portfolio from various college representatives. She plans to attend the University of Texas at El Paso this fall.
“It just seemed really cool to me, and I just want to see what they had to say about my art and if I can go to that college,” Guttierez said.