Anahy Nuñez commissioned for Las Cruces mural project

Anahy Nuñez has been selected as the artist to paint a large-scale mural on the Las Cruces Visitors Center. Nuñez was one of 65 applicants from all over the U.S. who submitted their Las Cruces mural designs. Through an extensive selection process, Nuñez’s artwork, titled “Con Amor,” a postage stamp-style concept, captured the colorful culture that draws visitors to the city.

Nuñez is widely known as a professional face and body painter, tattoo artist, and multi-media freelance artist. Her passion for the area and its Hispanic culture can be seen in her creations and in the two businesses she co-owns with her fiancé and fellow artist Aaron Valenzuela – Atom Bomb Studio and La Tiendita Gift Shop, both located in downtown Las Cruces. The title “Con Amor” translates to “With Love,” befitting as Nuñez’ love for her hometown shines through in her Las Cruces mural concept.

 “Born and raised in Las Cruces, I wanted to encompass everything that makes up the beauty of this city, the wonderful community, and its colorful landscape. I poured my heart onto a canvas for this mural and I created ‘Con Amor,’ a visual love letter for the city that made me the artist I am today,” Nuñez said. “I’m very proud to share this creation with everyone and hope that they enjoy becoming a piece of the artwork itself.”

Applicants were asked to create a large, outdoor mural to fill approximately 860 square feet of space and that invited visitors to take photos as they immerse themselves in it. The mural will cover the exterior wall of the Visit Las Cruces building, facing Main Street. The winning concept makes for a  colorful representation of the city while also adding to the City’s growing collection of Insta-worthy murals.   

In partnership with Valenzuela, Nuñez plans to have the piece completed within 30 days from start. Work on the mural will begin in early spring and the finished art is expected to be officially unveiled at a ribbon cutting in April 2023.

Located in southern New Mexico‘s Mesilla Valley between the Rio Grande River and Organ Mountains, Las Cruces is the state’s second largest city with a population of more than 100,000— encompassed by thriving retirement, student and family living. Las Cruces is nationally recognized for its diverse landscapes, agricultural industry, affordability, hospitality, farmers market, food and more. It offers convenient access to White Sands National Park and multiple national monuments and state parks and has close connections to space tourism as the gateway Spaceport America.