STC acquires new works by prominent Laredo-born artist.
Exhibit opens January 21 | Reception and artist talk March 5
South Texas College celebrates a generous donation of nine artworks to its library’s permanent art collection. This donation was made by Dr. Ricardo J. Solis, the President of STC, from his personal art collection. It features works by Amado M. Peña Jr., a prestigious artist from Laredo, TX who now resides in Santa Fe, NM. There will be an exhibition of the artwork on the library’s second floor, along with an artist talk event and a reception to commemorate the occasion.
The exhibition “Desert Narratives: Amado M. Peña Jr.” will open on January 21 and run through May 23, 2025. Amado M. Peña Jr. will visit the college on March 5, 2025, for an artist talk with students and community members from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. Additionally, there will be an exhibition reception with an open call for art, “Moon as Muse: A Love Letter in Art & Verse,” from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
The exhibition will be on display at the Pecan Campus Library Art Gallery, located at 3201 W. Pecan Blvd., Building F, in McAllen. Admission is free and open to the public.
Amado M. Peña Jr. was born in 1943 in Laredo, Texas. He graduated from Texas A&M-Kingsville with both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in art and education. A celebrated artist, he is recognized as an Artisan of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe of Arizona.
His artwork honors the resilience of Native Americans and reflects their harmonious relationship with the enduring landscapes of Arizona and New Mexico. Inspired by significant locations such as Canyon de Chelly, Spider Rock, and Monument Valley, Peña’s art is characterized by bold colors, dynamic compositions, and powerful storytelling.
Peña has dedicated his career to preserving and promoting the culture, art, and history of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe through his creative work. He has taught in his hometown of Laredo, as well as in Crystal City and Austin, Texas. He has also served as an adjunct professor at the University of Texas. His paintings have been exhibited at the National Collection of Fine Arts at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C. Additionally, he has been a presenter at numerous national education conferences, where he shares his expertise and passion for art and education.
STC’s Library Art Gallery Program organizes exhibitions and educational programs to engage students’ understanding of art and its role in culture, support the academic curriculum, and inspire continued education through direct engagement with artists, scholars, and original works of art.
For more information, please contact the gallery at (956) 872-3488, gotvos@southtexascollege.edu, or visit https://library.southtexascollege.edu/libraryart.
