Mining Minds: Special Lighting Commemorates Fall Convocation

Last Updated on October 11, 2018 at 1:00 PM

Originally published October 11, 2018

By University Communications

UTEP Communications

The University of Texas at El Paso will illuminate the "Mining Minds" pickaxe sculpture at the campus' University Avenue roundabout in blue and orange Thursday evening, Oct. 11, 2018, in honor of UTEP's Fall Convocation.

The University of Texas at El Paso installed the iconic public art piece, "Mining Minds," in 2010 in the University Avenue roundabout. The metal pickaxe head touches on the University's past as a mining school, and its future with binary code cutouts on each end of the art piece. Photo: Laura Trejo/UTEP Communications

Convocation is an opportunity to reflect on the University’s accomplishments of the past year and upcoming goals. UTEP President Diana Natalicio will give a State of the University address at 2 p.m. in the Fox Fine Arts Center’s Recital Hall.

“Mining Minds” is an iconic piece of public art installed in 2010 to enhance the UTEP campus. At night, orange lights brighten the steel structure while light from LEDs emanate from the perforated “ones” and “zeroes” at each end of the pick.

The University illuminates the pick in blue and orange on special occasions such as historic dates, major annual milestones and celebrations of special accomplishments.

Click here to learn more about “Mining Minds.”