Literacy Fiesta celebrates local writers, arts in El Paso

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- Reading and writing fans celebrated their hobbies in literacy at El Paso Community College on Wednesday.

EPCC held the 18th annual Literacy Fiesta at its Valle Verde Campus. The Literacy Fiesta had free book giveaways, award-winning authors and workshops for the public.

"I'm receiving a lot of community here. I think they're showing us the things that we have available to us at the campus. This is something that I've never been to, so I'm really glad that I've been invited," said EPCC student Samay Wilcox.

The Literacy Fiesta didn't focus on just books. It celebrated literacy in art and music too.

El Paso-based book organizations provided free books for the event, including the Books Are Gems store and the El Paso Public Library.

Additionally, the Heart Gallery of El Paso and Executive Director Vanessa Gurrola Leon earned the EPCC Community Spirit Award for its "notable history of literacy and community service."

“The Community Spirit Award means so much, just because it’s an example of the work we’re doing in the community is being recognized at a large level,” Gurrola Leon said in a statement. “We work so hard for students and knowing that the hard work since 2023 is being noticed.”

Author Jazmine Ulloa won the Literacy Legacy Award. She grew up in El Paso, graduated from Burgess High School and works for the New York Times.