Workshops were conducted in eight schools around the El Paso area. One hundred high school students were involved. Participants in both cities were given the same theme of "Border Community" with which to develop their imagery and text... There were interesting dialogues during these workshops concerning arts, politics, ecology and human interaction. With the full support of the of El Paso and Ysleta school districts and their teachers, the workshops were full of enthusiastic participation in an environment of respect and understanding.

"....Art is-or should be- generous. But when working with place, artists can only give if they are receiving as well. The greatest challenges for artists lured by the local are to balance between making the information accessible and making it visually provocative as well; to fulfill themselves as well as their collaborators; to innovate not just for innovation's sake, not just for style's sake, nor to enhance their reputation or ego, but to bring a new degree of coherence and beauty to the lure of the local......"

The Lure of the Local by Lucy Lippard

This is a selection of quotes written on the shirts by the El Paso participants:

This is a community filled with all sorts of cultures.

Our past is constantly uprooted, our present undaunted, our future then is to strive to rebuild and renew. Yet it is a never ending process with an ever changing plan.

Two nations one sun.

Two countries so integrated we are part of both, no matter what our nationality.

I really love to dance and play my guitar, and I will join Metalica and go on a world tour.

"Tuesday, September 30th .....today I worked with about eighteen students at Telles Academy. This is a school for kids that have been in trouble, and this is their last chance; it is an interesting group. The teacher Lorenzo Aguilar was very helpful and totally committed to the project. He told me that a project like this is perfect for his kids, as it gives them a goal. All the students I have worked with speak both English and Spanish......"