Two New Mexico State University student artists, Yalet Yanar and Citlali Delgado, have been selected to showcase their work for Art Stop 2025. Their pieces, each with unique and powerful themes, will be displayed in public spaces across Las Cruces, bringing their artistic vision to the community.
Delgado is excited to have her work displayed in a public space like a bus stop, a location she feels is ideal for making art accessible to everyone. “Public art is a dream for me because it balances fine art with accessibility,” she said. “It’s for everyone, and that’s what I want my art to be.”
"It means a lot to me to have this piece shown in such a public space.” Yanar explained. “I’m excited to share my personal journey with the community.”
Both Yanar and Delgado’s works will be featured at bus stops on the corners of University Ave. and Jordan Rd. and Valley Drive and Hadley Ave. as part of Art Stop 2025, an initiative that brings student and local art to the public. The event aims to showcase a range of creative expressions, offering the community an opportunity to engage with thought-provoking art in everyday spaces.
Yanar’s work, “Take a Walk,” reflects her personal journey through Las Cruces. Created during a class focused on the theme of place, her piece is a collage that captures the path she walked daily between Breland Hall, where she took Japanese class, and Devasthali Hall, where she studied painting. Yanar depicts the heat of the desert city and the beauty of its architecture through vibrant colors and sharp contrasts.
“The bright colors and harsh shadows represent the intense weather of Las Cruces while capturing the beauty of the city,” Yanar said. “This walk was an everyday experience for me and now that I’m nearing the end of my time at NMSU, I’m already feeling nostalgic for it.”
Delgado’s “Second Sight” offers a powerful tribute to the resilience and intuition of women.
“This painting is a testimony to the fierceness that all women are born with and must keep throughout their lives,” Delgado said. “It’s about keeping your eyes peeled, being aware, and understanding the role of intuition in navigating our world.”
Incorporating elements of the local Chihuahuan Desert, Delgado’s work features the purple prickly pear cactus, symbolizing the connection to the land. The painting also includes a second, more hidden figure, symbolizing the importance of intuition and self-protection. “For me, this piece represents the experience of being a woman in this community and the challenges we face,” Delgado explained. “I want it to inspire other women, especially young girls.”
“We are so proud of our students, and the impact they are making on the city’s visual landscape,” said Margaret Goehring, art history professor and art department head. “As an educator, it is especially exciting to see their work be acknowledged and celebrated and be an inspiration to others.”
Both students are seniors at NMSU. After graduation, Yanar plans to continue building her portfolio and pursue opportunities such as residencies or graduate school. Delgado plans to attend graduate school at Yale.
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CUTLINE: New Mexico State University art students Citlali Delgado (left) and Yalet Yanar stand next posters of their artwork that will adorn Las Cruces bus stops as part of a public art project called Art Stop 2025 sponsored by the City of Las Cruces. (Courtesy photo)
CUTLINE: New Mexico State University Bachelor of Art senior, Yalet Yanar’s piece for Art Stop 2025, Take a Walk, located at the bus stop on the corner of University Ave. and Jordan Rd. (NMSU Photo by Scott Hause)
CUTLINE: New Mexico State University Bachelor of Art senior, Citlali Delgado piece for Art Stop 2025, Second Sight, located at the bus stop on the corner of Valley Drive and Hadley Ave. (NMSU Photo by Scott Hause)