EPHS students display art at zoo

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- If you're heading to the El Paso Zoo this summer, you'll see more than the usual animals on display. You can now check out some works of art, created by El Paso High School students.

A total of 22 pieces were selected for the display, which can be found in the African exhibit. Some will be made into murals in the future. Art teacher Elijah Escobar says the first-ever event is a great opportunity for emerging artists to have their work on display in a public setting, and inspire future artists.

"I want them to see not high-profile artists, but someone they can relate to - especially the young ones who are on a field trip right now.  I want them to say, I can do something like this," Escobar says.

Sophomore Miguel Hernandez says it means a lot to have his piece displayed, because it came from his heart.  " I choose the lion because it's one of the most known animals the zoo has and I picked the jaguar because I want to mix it with the Mexican culture because my dad is from Mexico," he says.

Everett Granados, a junior at EPHS, says he didn't think his piece would be chosen, and the experience has been surreal. "This is like the first time I've done anything on this scale, so it means a lot to have my work on display at a public zoo.  It's pretty crazy," Granados says.

Zoo visitors can find the art pieces in the African exhibit, and expect new pieces to be added in the future.