Reprinted from El Paso Herald, Thursday November 7, 1985
By Betty Ligon
Renowned El Paso artist Manuel Acosta has drawn upon the Franklin Mountains for his posted that will be sold to help launch El Paso festivities for the Sesquicentennial.
The original painting is a collage depicting a stylistic mountain overlooking the Rio Grande and the two Downtown bridges.
"The Mountain," subtitled "Mi cielo, mi sol, mi casa --- El Paso" (My sky, my sun, my home) is a deep purple in shadow against a celestial blue sky with a viridian green swatch of landscape, the azure blue streak of river and bright orange bridges.
"When I first decided to do the poster, I wanted to express a deep personal feeling about the mountain. It is the one grand gift we have. How many cities would love to have a piece of our mountain in their back yard?" Acosta said.
That piece of the mountain will be on sale Nov. 14. All clubs and organizations in the city are invited to "A Taste of Sesquicentennial" from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Civic Center Theater. The poster will sell for $6 and an edition signed by Acosta will cost $15.
"Everyone is asked to dress in red, white and blue to get into the spirit of the yearlong observation of the state’s independence date," said Josephine Aguila, chairman of the El Paso Sesquicentennial Committee.
Acosta will be on hand to sign his posters, limited to 200.
Acosta will host another poster kickoff party at his studio on 366 Buena Vista Drive at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 23.