Swimming pool mural captures the community’s attention

A new vibrant underwater mural at the city pool has captured the attention and imagination of the public.

“Reactions from the community were a really fun part of the project,” Deru You, mural artist of the City Pool, said “Since most of the painting happened during open hours at the pool, I got to meet a lot of pool regulars and get their feedback. I even took a few community polls on days when I needed help deciding how to execute a certain design element. Everyone was very supportive and encouraging.”

You, originally from Columbia, Missouri, has always loved visual arts and received her Bachelor’s in art, sociology and communication.

“Before moving to Socorro in February, I had worked on three mural-scale projects. I have now completed another three murals within the Socorro community and hope to continue painting murals throughout New Mexico,” You said.

The mural is the result of collaboration and funding from the Socorro Beautification Committee, the City of Socorro, the Lion’s Club and labor from the county detention center’s RISE program.

Chelsea Jones, beautification committee chair, said the project has been in the works for a couple of years, and she’s been thrilled with the positive feedback on the final mural.

“It’s always looked so drab,” Jones said. “When I started working with the RISE clients and found out they could prep it, I thought maybe we can get it done before summer starts. And I think that’s been the biggest motivator to keep these projects going is that the detainees have really taken pride in what they’re doing and they do a great job.”

For You, working with the RISE program was a highlight of the project.

“The ladies from the RISE program were awesome to work with. They were responsible for the background and the schools of fish, which were painted using spray paint and stencils. They worked quickly, with attention to detail, and had a lot of fun while they were at it. I greatly enjoyed every day that I worked with them,” You said.

She said she started brainstorming the design about a month before the project began, and with the contributions from the RISE artists, it took about six weeks to complete.

“I want the community to know how much their support, encouragement, curiosity, and feedback meant to me. Meeting all of you really made the project that much more special and enjoyable and definitely helped me stay motivated to keep painting even on the hottest workdays,” You said.

The Beautification Committee has worked on various projects to improve Socorro’s aesthetic appeal, including installing Christmas lights and murals, organizing clean- ups and landscaping.

The committee currently has funding and a design for another mural, and they are looking for a private business willing to donate its wall for a mural. They also plan to start painting the fire hydrants with the RISE artists.

“There is just so much artistic talent at the detention center,” Jones said.

Jones said they are working on partnering with the county to devise a way to utilize RISE artists while also allowing them to get a stipend. She also hopes to establish a new collaboration with art students from the high school.

Community members who are interested or have ideas are encouraged to join the beautification committee meetings at 10 a.m. on the second Thursday of the month at the Socorro Public Library. Donations to the Beautification Committee can be made on your City of Socorro bill.