About BAR

The Border Art Residency was established in 1997 as a place to support contemporary visual artists. The residency was the brainchild of Ray Parish and Becky Hendrick, who have put a lot of love and time into making it happen. The BAR is grateful to the board members who have served on the residency, and to the El Paso Community Foundation, which has provided financial and administrative support since its inception.

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The Border Art Residency maintains its own board of directors, people who have been strong stewards of the residency through the years. 

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History at BAR

In 1998, Willie Ray Parish, Becky Hendrick, and some community-minded El Pasoans came up with the idea of the Border Art Residency as a way to support contemporary visual art. The residency was simple. Ray and Becky remodeled an old cotton gin above his studio, and the result was a 2,000 square foot place for one artist per year to live and work without the worries of rent or "real life" for a while.

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The Border Art Residency was formed as a supporting organization to the El Paso Community Foundation, and the partnership has been wonderful for more than two decades. Ray and Becky were landlords and volunteers for the project since its inception until their retirement in 2014. They remain supporters of the BAR to this day. 

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Future at BAR

The Border Art Residency has a new home! After a long run in La Union, NM, and a short hiatus the Border Art Residency has moved to a living and studio space at 801 Piedras in the heart of El Paso, TX. In February 2021 we welcomed our first resident artist in the new space. As we embark on this new journey we are asking for your help to keep raising the BAR for the next generation of artists. You can make a tax-deductable donation here.