Highlights from the 2025 Los Portales Museum Events and Exhibitions

The year 2025 brought a series of exciting events and exhibitions to the Los Portales Museum, showcasing local talent, engaging the community, and hosting significant traveling exhibits. From the vibrant student art displays to the Smithsonian’s “Change in Rural America” exhibit, the museum became a hub of creativity and learning. This post walks through the key moments from January to December 2025, highlighting the museum’s efforts to connect art, history, and education.

January 2025: Celebrating Young Artists with “Echos of Inspiration”

Los Portales Museum proudly hosted the San Elizario High School Art Exhibit, “Echoes of Inspiration: A Celebration of Young Artists.” The exhibit featured multiple painting categories, including Monochromatic Shadows, Homage to Van Gogh, Imagination Lines, and more. A public reception was held at the museum, allowing the community to celebrate and engage with the students’ artwork.

February 2025: Preparing for the Smithsonian Exhibit and Community Engagement

February was a busy month as the museum staff prepared for the upcoming Smithsonian traveling exhibit, “Change in Rural America,” part of the Museum on Main Street (MOMS) program. This exhibit explores the transformations in rural communities across the country.

To complement the exhibit, the museum partnered with 915 Paranormal to offer a special tour, which attracted 20 attendees interested in local history and folklore. Additionally, Mission Trail brought 100 students from Canutillo Elementary for an educational visit, providing young learners with a hands-on experience related to rural American history.

March 2025: Inventory and Event Planning for the Smithsonian Exhibit

March focused on logistics and preparation. The museum staff conducted a thorough inventory of all items to be transported to Casa Ronquillo, making space for the Smithsonian exhibit at Los Portales. This process was essential to ensure the safe handling and display of artifacts.

Docents also prepared flyers and promotional materials for upcoming events tied to the exhibit. These efforts aimed to increase public awareness and encourage participation in the museum’s programming throughout the exhibit’s run.

April 2025: Wrapping Up the Art Exhibit and Installing the Smithsonian Exhibit

April brought the conclusion of the student art exhibit. The staff took down the displays and counted votes to determine winners in each category. The event saw a strong turnout, and the museum looks forward to expanding participation in 2026.

At the same time, the permanent exhibit was dismantled to prepare the space for the Smithsonian exhibit. This task required careful coordination and teamwork, as the staff worked to clear the gallery efficiently.

During this time, the Assistant Director Rene had to pick up the Smithsonian exhibit from out of town and bring it to Los Portales. The installation was challenging at first, with many hands involved, but uncertainty about the setup. Once the team found their rhythm, the process moved smoothly, and the exhibit was ready to welcome visitors.

May 2025: A Month of Growth and Transition

May was marked by the peak of the Smithsonian exhibit’s presence at the museum. The exhibit drew significant attention, leading to various related events that enriched the visitor experience. These included talks, tours, and educational programs that connected the exhibit’s themes to the local community.

During this busy period, the museum also searched for a new director to lead future initiatives. Meanwhile, the team welcomed Janice, a talented intern from UTEP, who brought fresh energy and ideas to the museum’s operations.

June 2025: Welcoming New Leadership and Restoring Permanent Exhibits

In June, Los Portales Museum welcomed its new Director, Andrea, marking an important step forward for the institution. With the conclusion of the Smithsonian exhibit, staff carefully deinstalled the traveling exhibit and reinstalled the museum’s permanent displays, restoring the gallery space to its original layout.

During this month, the Provencio family generously donated a charro suit that once belonged to Miguel Ignacio Provencio Jáquez. This meaningful artifact was placed on display and remains an important addition to the museum’s collection. Staff also began preparations for an upcoming agriculture-focused exhibit scheduled to open in July.

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July 2025: Community Workshops and the Opening of “The Giving Desert”

July featured educational programming and the opening of a new exhibit. Marty Loya hosted a presentation and seed workshop at the Old County Jail, offering community members valuable insight into sustainable agriculture and seed preservation.

Later in the month, the museum held the opening reception for “The Giving Desert,” an agriculture exhibit presented in partnership with Lorenzo. This exhibit highlighted the importance of agriculture in the region and marked a calmer transition period following the Smithsonian exhibit.

August 2025: Plant Swap and Hands-On Learning

In August, museum staff hosted a Plant Swap event that complemented the ongoing agriculture exhibit. Staff gathered pots, soil, tools, and a variety of plants to support the event.

The program included an educational presentation on plant propagation, followed by a community plant exchange where participants shared and traded plants. The event encouraged sustainability, learning, and community engagement in a relaxed and welcoming environment.

September 2025: Intern Support, Partnerships, and Exhibit Preparation

September brought renewed energy to the museum with the arrival of UTEP intern Areli Bernal, whose contributions proved invaluable in the months that followed.

In collaboration with San Elizario Urban Agriculture and the City of San Elizario, the museum hosted the Bee Real Event. The event featured a free farmers market, complimentary food, a fruit tree raffle, and educational resources for attendees.

Additionally, the San Elizario Genealogy and Historical Society held its annual Founders Luncheon at Alarcon Elementary School.

During this month, staff also prepared for the Preservation Texas exhibit “Adobe at the Pass,” which showcased 1936 Historic American Buildings Survey photographs by Marvin Eickenrodt documenting endangered adobe structures in El Paso County’s Mission Valley.

October 2025: Exhibits, Outreach, and Cultural Programming

October was a highly active month at Los Portales Museum. The staff hosted the opening reception for “Adobe at the Pass,” welcoming visitors to explore the historic photography exhibit. The museum also facilitated several guided tours, including groups from Vietnam Veterans organizations, the Chicano House of Immigrants, a South American group with Lorenzo, and San Elizario Middle School.

The museum hosted a book club discussion of “Salt Warriors,” led by Pilar Muñoz. Staff participated in the Border Archives Bazaar and the Hueco Tanks Fair to promote community outreach and collaboration with other organizations.

In preparation for Día de los Muertos, the museum partnered with San Elizario High School to showcase student artwork. Staff also created an alebrije statue using papier-mâché, paint, and recycled materials for the Día de los Muertos parade. Additionally, preparations and events began for the museum’s annual Ghost Tours, which featured local legends and folklore.

November 2025: Parades, Tours, and Luminaria Preparations

In November, museum staff participated in the Downtown Día de los Muertos Parade, which featured their handmade alebrije and dressed as Catrinas and Catrines. Due to popular demand, Ghost Tours were extended into November.

The museum welcomed a group of 90 students from Ysleta for guided tours of the Old County Jail, Presidio Chapel, and Los Portales Museum. Throughout the month, staff also began preparations for the San Elizario Genealogy and Historical Society’s annual Luminaria Event at the Placita.

December 2025: Luminarias, Volunteers, and Holiday Celebrations

December focused on community involvement and holiday traditions. The San Elizario Genealogy & Historical Society held its Annual Luminiaria and Posada event, where volunteers from San Elizario High School assisted museum staff in preparing luminaria bags filled with sand and candles, which were placed throughout San Elizario. Additionally, volunteers played characters for the reenactment of Mary & Joseph asking for Posada.

Later that evening, staff hand-lit each candle in preparation for the Luminaria event. The celebration included a bike raffle for children, candy bags, and gifts for various age groups, a visit from Santa Claus, and the City of San Elizario’s Christmas tree lighting, bringing the year to a festive and meaningful close.

Closing Message

As we reflect on an impactful and successful year, we extend our sincere gratitude to our staff, volunteers, partners, and community members for their continued support of Los Portales Museum. Looking ahead, we are excited to expand the museum, strengthen our programming, and set clear goals that support the museum’s long-term success. We aim to create meaningful opportunities for both ongoing visitors and new guests, ensuring the museum remains a welcoming, educational, and vibrant space for the community.