Uncle Sam Immortalized at El Paso Museum

Uncle Sam, El Paso Community College (EPCC) Government Instructor Leon Blevins, will be honored by the El Paso International Museum of Art during their exhibit, “Happy Birthday, America!”  Mr. Blevins has donated his entire “Uncle Sam” memorabilia collection to the International Museum to be used in this annual patriotic exhibit.

Uncle Sam and Aunt Sammie (Mrs. Shannah Blevins) will be part of the opening reception that will take place from 2:00 – 4:00pm, Sunday, June 26th.  The El Paso International Museum of Art is located at 1211 Montana Avenue.

“Happy Birthday, America!” will be an exhibit of art with patriotic themes, including landscapes, U. S. Military, 4th of July celebrations and Uncle Sam.  Artists’ work from West Texas and Southern New Mexico will be on display.  The exhibition will run from June 26th through July 30th.

Leon Blevins has been an instructor of Government at EPCC since 1972 and learned early on that costuming was an important way to hold the attention of students.  Mr. Blevins’ costumes number over 60. His most famous is Uncle Sam.  He has been recognized nationwide.  Some of his highest honors have been events with Bill and Hillary Clinton, George W. Bush and participating in the many Independence Day, Veterans’ Day and Thanksgiving Day parades. Mr. Blevins hosts a weekly television show, “Perspectives El Paso”, that appears on EPCC-TV and KCOS Public Television.

For more information on “Happy Birthday, America!” contact Museum Docent, Jaime Gonzalez, at (915) 543-6747 or visit the El Paso

International Museum website at http://www.internationalmuseumofart.net.