Tom Lea’s El Paso

“Tom Lea’s El Paso”

Documentary Features Rare Conversation with El Paso Artist

El Paso, Texas — July 7, 2010 — Capstone Productions Inc. announces the world premiere and DVD release of “Tom Lea’s El Paso” at a free public showing 2 p.m. Saturday, July 24, 2010, at the El Paso Public Library, 501 N. Oregon Street.

The new 57-minute documentary is a rare TV conversation with Tom Lea, internationally renowned artist and author, and native of El Paso. Tom Lea tells personal stories of growing up in El Paso during the turbulent years of the Mexican Revolution, when Tom Lea Sr. was mayor of El Paso and Pancho Villa threatened to kill the mayor and kidnap his sons. The conversation with Tom Lea was recorded in 2001, a year before he died. The documentary is illustrated with historic archive photos from the 1910s and 1920s.

The program is introduced by former First Lady Laura Bush, and is hosted by Adair Margo, Tom Lea’s long-time friend and representative. Tom Lea talks about Mount Franklin, horse and buggy rides in El Paso, riding the trolley all over town, memories of family friend Judge R.E. Thomason, and the El Paso smelter. Tom describes how Gen. John Pershing influenced him, his interest in the Old West, and his interest in Native Americans.

Major funding support for this TV program was provided by the El Paso County Historical Commission. This program is made possible in part by a grant from Humanities Texas, the state affiliate of the National Endowment of the Humanities, and by a generous donation from Maury and Jean Kemp.