Community Calendar

This summer, the NMSU Art Museum welcomes the return of Louis Ocepek, local artist, former Department Head, and Professor Emeritus of the NMSU Department of Art for his solo exhibition: Homage to Then/Small Worlds. This exhibition opens June 11, 2026 and will be on display in the museum’s Mullennix Bridge Gallery through September 12, 2026. Please join us for the opening reception on June 11 from 4:30-6:30 pm.

Homage to Then/Small Worlds is a two-part exhibition of direct gravure prints, gouache paintings, and digital prints that pay tribute to a history of artistic influences and explore the abstracted physical world. Homage to Then comprises sixteen gravure prints and four gouache paintings, while Small Worlds features an array of acrylic and gouache paintings on paper and chromogenic prints. The detailed selection in Homage to Then/Small Worlds reflects on the aesthetics of time, space, and the perceptions of our physical and metaphysical worlds.

Louis Ocepek is an artist and designer born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. He studied design and fine art at Wayne State University, and earned his graduate degree from the University of Iowa in Iowa City. He was a professor in the art departments of Montana State University, Portland State University, and New Mexico State University, where he served as Department Head for several years while teaching additional courses in the NMSU Honors College. Ocepek works in a variety of media–exhibiting prints, paintings and hybrid works in national and international group and solo exhibitions. His work is included in the public art collections of Oregon, Washington, New Mexico and Texas. Ocepek is the author of Graphic Design: Vision, Process, Product and his design work has been featured in publications such as Graphis International and The Painter Wow!.

Silent Meditation every Mon/Wed/Fri from 12 - 1 pm, located at 424 N Main St., Suite 500

This summer, the NMSU Art Museum welcomes the return of Louis Ocepek, local artist, former Department Head, and Professor Emeritus of the NMSU Department of Art for his solo exhibition: Homage to Then/Small Worlds. This exhibition opens June 11, 2026 and will be on display in the museum’s Mullennix Bridge Gallery through September 12, 2026. Please join us for the opening reception on June 11 from 4:30-6:30 pm.

Homage to Then/Small Worlds is a two-part exhibition of direct gravure prints, gouache paintings, and digital prints that pay tribute to a history of artistic influences and explore the abstracted physical world. Homage to Then comprises sixteen gravure prints and four gouache paintings, while Small Worlds features an array of acrylic and gouache paintings on paper and chromogenic prints. The detailed selection in Homage to Then/Small Worlds reflects on the aesthetics of time, space, and the perceptions of our physical and metaphysical worlds.

Louis Ocepek is an artist and designer born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. He studied design and fine art at Wayne State University, and earned his graduate degree from the University of Iowa in Iowa City. He was a professor in the art departments of Montana State University, Portland State University, and New Mexico State University, where he served as Department Head for several years while teaching additional courses in the NMSU Honors College. Ocepek works in a variety of media–exhibiting prints, paintings and hybrid works in national and international group and solo exhibitions. His work is included in the public art collections of Oregon, Washington, New Mexico and Texas. Ocepek is the author of Graphic Design: Vision, Process, Product and his design work has been featured in publications such as Graphis International and The Painter Wow!.

Is your fear of speaking in public holding you back from your full potential?
Is speaking stressful for you?
Do you wish you could stop worrying about your next presentation at work or in a class?

You're invited to visit a Los Chismosos Toastmasters club meeting, as our guest!

You will learn-by-doing, in a supportive and positive club setting that meets each Thursday on Zoom. The new "Pathways" program from Toastmasters International is designed to provide you with a safe, step-by-step way to learn public speaking skills.

You are free to select a "Pathways" track that most benefits you and aligns with your needs and interests.

When you join Toastmasters, you can stop worrying about your next presentation and get immediate feedback from experienced speakers. You'll discover a positive and supportive group, willing to help you take your first steps toward speaking with confidence.

You will benefit from Toastmasters by learning to:

--Find an immediate connection with your audience;
--Organize your thoughts logically for clarity;
--Energize your speaking with storytelling;
--Find your voice and your unique style to convey your best ideas.

Founded in 1984, Los Chismosos Toastmasters' membership includes faculty, graduate students, and staff at New Mexico State University as well as people in the business community, retirees, and those new to the area.

This summer, the NMSU Art Museum welcomes the return of Louis Ocepek, local artist, former Department Head, and Professor Emeritus of the NMSU Department of Art for his solo exhibition: Homage to Then/Small Worlds. This exhibition opens June 11, 2026 and will be on display in the museum’s Mullennix Bridge Gallery through September 12, 2026. Please join us for the opening reception on June 11 from 4:30-6:30 pm.

Homage to Then/Small Worlds is a two-part exhibition of direct gravure prints, gouache paintings, and digital prints that pay tribute to a history of artistic influences and explore the abstracted physical world. Homage to Then comprises sixteen gravure prints and four gouache paintings, while Small Worlds features an array of acrylic and gouache paintings on paper and chromogenic prints. The detailed selection in Homage to Then/Small Worlds reflects on the aesthetics of time, space, and the perceptions of our physical and metaphysical worlds.

Louis Ocepek is an artist and designer born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. He studied design and fine art at Wayne State University, and earned his graduate degree from the University of Iowa in Iowa City. He was a professor in the art departments of Montana State University, Portland State University, and New Mexico State University, where he served as Department Head for several years while teaching additional courses in the NMSU Honors College. Ocepek works in a variety of media–exhibiting prints, paintings and hybrid works in national and international group and solo exhibitions. His work is included in the public art collections of Oregon, Washington, New Mexico and Texas. Ocepek is the author of Graphic Design: Vision, Process, Product and his design work has been featured in publications such as Graphis International and The Painter Wow!.

Silent Meditation every Mon/Wed/Fri from 12 - 1 pm, located at 424 N Main St., Suite 500

Come celebrate with us at St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church at our Feast of the Middle East – a three-day festival of food, music, and dancing for the whole family!
September 11-13, 2026
St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church
120 N Festival Dr, El Paso, Texas 79912
Friday Night Hafli (Pre-Party) 7pm - 10pm
*Full Bar
*Live Music with Full Band
*Dancing
*Appetizers Only
Entrance Fee: $10
Saturday & Sunday Festival
Saturday 12pm - 10pm
Sunday 12pm - 8pm
No pre-sale ticket? No problem – $5 at the door
*Full Bar
*Live Music & Full Band
*Dancing
*Authentic Middle Eastern Food
*Vendors 
Presale Tickets: $25 - Includes food and drink tickets for the festival.
Bring your friends, neighbors, and family to experience the warmth, hospitality, and joy of Middle Eastern culture right here in El Paso. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Youtube for the latest updates. Mark your calendars, share this post, and plan to spend the weekend with us!
To purchase tickets or for more information:
Call 915-777-9203 or 915-478-2570

This summer, the NMSU Art Museum welcomes the return of Louis Ocepek, local artist, former Department Head, and Professor Emeritus of the NMSU Department of Art for his solo exhibition: Homage to Then/Small Worlds. This exhibition opens June 11, 2026 and will be on display in the museum’s Mullennix Bridge Gallery through September 12, 2026. Please join us for the opening reception on June 11 from 4:30-6:30 pm.

Homage to Then/Small Worlds is a two-part exhibition of direct gravure prints, gouache paintings, and digital prints that pay tribute to a history of artistic influences and explore the abstracted physical world. Homage to Then comprises sixteen gravure prints and four gouache paintings, while Small Worlds features an array of acrylic and gouache paintings on paper and chromogenic prints. The detailed selection in Homage to Then/Small Worlds reflects on the aesthetics of time, space, and the perceptions of our physical and metaphysical worlds.

Louis Ocepek is an artist and designer born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. He studied design and fine art at Wayne State University, and earned his graduate degree from the University of Iowa in Iowa City. He was a professor in the art departments of Montana State University, Portland State University, and New Mexico State University, where he served as Department Head for several years while teaching additional courses in the NMSU Honors College. Ocepek works in a variety of media–exhibiting prints, paintings and hybrid works in national and international group and solo exhibitions. His work is included in the public art collections of Oregon, Washington, New Mexico and Texas. Ocepek is the author of Graphic Design: Vision, Process, Product and his design work has been featured in publications such as Graphis International and The Painter Wow!.

Come celebrate with us at St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church at our Feast of the Middle East – a three-day festival of food, music, and dancing for the whole family!
September 11-13, 2026
St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church
120 N Festival Dr, El Paso, Texas 79912
Friday Night Hafli (Pre-Party) 7pm - 10pm
*Full Bar
*Live Music with Full Band
*Dancing
*Appetizers Only
Entrance Fee: $10
Saturday & Sunday Festival
Saturday 12pm - 10pm
Sunday 12pm - 8pm
No pre-sale ticket? No problem – $5 at the door
*Full Bar
*Live Music & Full Band
*Dancing
*Authentic Middle Eastern Food
*Vendors 
Presale Tickets: $25 - Includes food and drink tickets for the festival.
Bring your friends, neighbors, and family to experience the warmth, hospitality, and joy of Middle Eastern culture right here in El Paso. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Youtube for the latest updates. Mark your calendars, share this post, and plan to spend the weekend with us!
To purchase tickets or for more information:
Call 915-777-9203 or 915-478-2570

Come celebrate with us at St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church at our Feast of the Middle East – a three-day festival of food, music, and dancing for the whole family!
September 11-13, 2026
St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church
120 N Festival Dr, El Paso, Texas 79912
Friday Night Hafli (Pre-Party) 7pm - 10pm
*Full Bar
*Live Music with Full Band
*Dancing
*Appetizers Only
Entrance Fee: $10
Saturday & Sunday Festival
Saturday 12pm - 10pm
Sunday 12pm - 8pm
No pre-sale ticket? No problem – $5 at the door
*Full Bar
*Live Music & Full Band
*Dancing
*Authentic Middle Eastern Food
*Vendors 
Presale Tickets: $25 - Includes food and drink tickets for the festival.
Bring your friends, neighbors, and family to experience the warmth, hospitality, and joy of Middle Eastern culture right here in El Paso. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Youtube for the latest updates. Mark your calendars, share this post, and plan to spend the weekend with us!
To purchase tickets or for more information:
Call 915-777-9203 or 915-478-2570