Category Archives: Library Art Gallery

Twenty Years in Retrospect: The STC Permanent Art Collection

Current & Upcoming Exhibits, Library Art Gallery, Pecan Campus, Permanent Art Collection

South Texas College celebrates the 20th anniversary of the permanent art collection

South Texas College’s Library Art Gallery presents “Twenty Years in Retrospect: The STC Permanent Art Collection,” an exhibition showcasing both the earliest works and the newest additions to the collection. Since its beginning in 2006, each piece has been contributed by artists who have exhibited in the library’s galleries, reflecting two decades of artistic collaboration and community engagement.

An anniversary reception will be held on March 3 from 1–2 p.m. in the Pecan Campus Library, 1st Floor Gallery.

Jerry Lyles Painting
The collection includes works by Deborah Roberts, Carmen Lomas Garza, Luis Corpus, and Jerry Lyles, among many others.

The exhibition will be on view at the Pecan Campus Gallery from January 20 – May 15, displayed on the second floor and first floor south lobby.

The STC Pecan Campus Library Art Gallery, located in Building F at 3201 Pecan Blvd., McAllen, TX, offers free admission to both the exhibition and all related events.

The South Texas College Library Art Gallery Program organizes exhibitions and educational programming designed to deepen students’ understanding of art and its cultural significance, support the academic curriculum, and inspire lifelong learning through engagement with artists, scholars, and original works of art.

For more information, visit: https://library.southtexascollege.edu/lag.

Ancient Landscapes of South Texas: Hiding in Plain Sight

Current & Upcoming Exhibits, Library Art Gallery, Pecan Campus

STC Library Art Gallery presents UTRGV CHAPS exhibition exploring 50 million years of geological and 15,000 years of cultural history

Lecture: March 3, 10 – 11 a.m. (STC Pecan Student Union, U-2.100)
Reception/Gallery Talk: March 3, 1 – 2 p.m. (STC Pecan Library) 

South Texas College Library Art Gallery presents “Ancient Landscapes of South Texas: Hiding in Plain Sight,” an exhibition developed by the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley’s Community Historical Archaeology Project (CHAPS). The exhibition opens Jan. 20 at the Pecan Campus Library Art Gallery and highlights the geological and cultural history of the Rio Grande Valley.

Exhibit coordinator Roseann Bacha-Garza and Dr. Juan Gonzalez will give a talk on March 3 from 10 to 11 a.m. in the STC Pecan Student Union, Building U, Room 2.100. 

The CHAPS exhibition traces a 40‑mile‑wide corridor from the mouth of the Rio Grande to Laredo—more than 200 miles of landscape shaped over 43 million years. The exhibition also documents 15,000 years of human presence in the region, illustrating how natural forces and human activity have shaped South Texas throughout time.

The display features material on ancient shorelines, volcanic ash deposits, mammoths, giant oysters, petrified forests, rare zircon crystals and thousand‑year‑old trees. It also examines how the Rio Grande has shaped life across the region and how modern activity continues to alter the U.S.–Mexico borderlands.

A reception and gallery talk will follow from 1 to 2 p.m. on March 3 at the Pecan Campus Library, Building F, as part of the Library Art Gallery’s 20th anniversary celebration. Visitors will have the opportunity to explore artifacts excavated throughout South Texas and learn about the natural landscapes unique to the Rio Grande Valley.

The exhibition’s documentary can be viewed at:
https://youtu.be/398URwHw8VU?si=6DVaUx9NSAabhE3g

More information is available at:
https://www.utrgv.edu/ancient-landscapes-southtexas/landscapes/index.htm

“Ancient Landscapes of South Texas: Hiding in Plain Sight” will be on view Jan. 20 through May 12, 2026, at the Pecan Campus Library Art Gallery, Building F, 3201 Pecan Blvd., McAllen, Texas. All events are free and open to the public.

The exhibition was developed by the UTRGV CHAPS team: Dr. Juan L. Gonzalez (Professor of Geology), Dr. Cristopher L. Miller (Professor of History), Dr. Russel K. Skowronek (Professor of Anthropology/History) and Roseann Bacha-Garza (Professor of Anthropology).

The South Texas College Library Art Gallery Program organizes exhibitions and educational events to deepen students’ understanding of art and its cultural significance, support the academic curriculum and inspire lifelong learning through direct engagement with artists, scholars and original works of art.

For more information, visit https://library.southtexascollege.edu/lag.

Cuartitos De Sueños

Current & Upcoming Exhibits, Library Art Gallery, Technology Campus

New ceramic exhibition explores architecture through sculpture at STC
Clay Workshops: Feb. 4 & 5, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. (STC Pecan Art Bldg., B-115) 
Exhibit Reception: Feb. 4, 3 – 4 p.m. (STC Tech Library, A-179)

South Texas College Library Art Gallery is proud to present “Cuartitos De Sueños,” an exhibition featuring ceramic sculptures and design-based works that explore architecture, structure and space. The exhibit showcases artwork by Rebecca Shelby, professor of ceramics at Arizona Western College, and fellow ceramic artist Larry Yáñez. Together, they introduce STC’s Technology Campus to new approaches in constructing architectural models.

Shelby and Yáñez will lead a ceramics workshop with STC ceramics instructor Chris Leonard on Feb. 4–5 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the STC Ceramic Studio (Pecan B-115). The exhibition will open Feb. 4, followed by an opening reception from 3 to 4 p.m. at the STC Technology Campus Library (A-179). It will remain on view through May 31, 2026, at the STC Technology Campus Library, 3700 W. Military Hwy. in McAllen.

About the Artists

Rebecca Shelby is an Arizona-based ceramic artist with a background in dance and sculpture. She holds a BFA in dance and an MFA in sculpture from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and is a professor of ceramics at Arizona Western College. Shelby studied under Japanese ceramicist Setsuya Kotani and has worked in bronze and concrete. She focuses on pushing the boundaries of ceramic techniques, noting that with enough “engineering thought,” even unconventional methods can succeed.

Larry M. Yáñez, of Yuma, Arizona, is a ceramic artist whose work reflects Anglo, Mexican and American Indian influences. He earned a BFA from Arizona State University and has exhibited nationally, with work included in the Smithsonian. His cultural background shapes the tension and humor found in his pieces. Yáñez is also a musician.

The South Texas College Library Art Gallery Program organizes exhibitions and programs that foster students’ understanding of art and culture, support academic learning and encourage continued education through direct engagement with artists, scholars and original works of art.

For more information, email gotvos@southtexascollege.edu or visit https://library.southtexascollege.edu/lag.

Colors We Dream / Colores Que Soñamos

Previous Exhibits

STC Library Art Gallery to Host Two New Exhibitions Beginning Oct. 1Colors We Dream Banner

Reception: October 1, 2025, from 5 – 7 p.m. at the Pecan Campus Library, Bldg. F

Artist Talk: October 1, 2025, from 10 – 11 a.m. Pecan Student Union, Bldg. U, Room 2.100

The South Texas College Library Art Gallery invites the community to the opening reception of two new exhibitions on Oct. 1 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Pecan Campus Library Art Gallery, Bldg. F, 3201. Pecan Blvd. in McAllen.The exhibitions—”Familiar Horizons” and the thematic community showcase “Colors We Dream / Colores que Soñamos”—will feature work by artist Elena Rodriguez and contributions from STC students, alumni, faculty, staff and local community members.

“Colors We Dream / Colores que Soñamos” centers on the theme of “alebrijes,” fantastical creatures first imagined by Mexican artist Pedro Linares in the 1950s. These vibrant, dreamlike beings combine features of real and mythical animals and are meant to reflect the spirit and imagination of their creators.

The exhibition includes artwork and poetry inspired by this magical realist tradition and will feature a short awards ceremony during the Oct. 1 reception. Prizes will be awarded for first, second and third place. The event is free and open to the public.

Rodriguez’s “Familiar Horizons” explores the beauty in everyday and often overlooked aspects of life.

“My art is an exploration of the beautiful mundane—asphalt, weeds and suburban banality,” Rodriguez said. “I create the sensation of déjà vu for a place one has or never has been.”
A native of Chalk Mountain, Texas, Rodriguez earned her Master of Fine Arts in Painting from the New York Academy of Art. She now teaches in the Department of Art and Drama at Del Mar College and was recently recognized in the “Corpus Christi 40 Under 40” list.

In addition to the evening reception, Rodriguez will give an artist talk earlier the same day, from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Pecan Campus Student Union, Building U, Room 2.100. She will discuss her work, artistic process and creative influences.

For more information, visit https://library.southtexascollege.edu/lag or email gotvos@southtexascollege.edu.

Ruth K Featured Image

Bright Room/Silver Moon: Ruth A. Keitz

Library Art Gallery, Mid-Valley Campus, Previous Exhibits

New Exhibit at STC Transforms Everyday Materials into Art.Bright Room/ Silver Moon Banner

Exhibition opens Oct. 2 at STC Mid-Valley Library Art Gallery | Reception and Artist Talk: Nov. 11, 10 – 11 a.m. 

The South Texas College Mid-Valley Campus Library Art Gallery presents “Bright Room / Silver Moon,” a mixed media exhibit by Ruth A. Keitz, Ph.D., from Oct. 2 through Dec. 1 2025.

An artist talk and reception will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. on Nov. 11 at the Mid-Valley Campus Library Art Gallery, located at 400 N. Border in Weslaco. Admission is free and open to the public.

Keitz’s work explores the transformation of everyday, often discarded materials into imaginative compositions through mixed media collage and construction.

“I enjoy the uncommon and unexpected beauty found in materials that are used for packaging–and usually thrown away after a single use. These materials may be in their pristine manufactured state or aged by the elements of nature or transformed by my hand,” says Keitz.

Ruth Keitz FlyerIn her latest series, Keitz uses materials like envelopes with cellophane windows and security tints to create implied spaces that focus on celestial imagery, particularly the moon. These architectural compositions evoke intimate, imagined environments through innovative layering of textures and mediums.

About the artist
Ruth A. Keitz is a mixed-media artist who reimagines found and discarded materials. She holds a Ph.D. and M.F.A. from the University of Texas at Austin and has taught art across the country, from the Rio Grande to Alaska.

The STC Library Art Gallery curates exhibitions and educational programming to enhance student learning, support academic curriculum and encourage engagement with original works of art and artists.

For more information, visit https://library.southtexascollege.edu/lag.

Elena Rodz: Familiar Horizons

Library Art Gallery, Pecan Campus, Previous Exhibits

Artist Talk: Oct. 1, 10 – 11 a.m. | Reception: Oct. 1, 5 – 7 p.m.

 

The South Texas College Pecan Campus Library Art Gallery is excited to showcase “Familiar Horizons,” an exhibition featuring oil paintings by artist Elena “Rodz” Rodriguez from Corpus Christi.

 

Elena Rodriguez grew up in Chalk Mountain, Texas, a small town with a population of 25. She earned her Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Painting from the New York Academy of Art and completed her Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) at Washington University in St. Louis, where she also minored in Film and Media Studies. After spending some time away, she returned to her home state and now works with the Department of Art and Drama at Del Mar College. Recently, she was honored with the “Corpus Christi 40 Under 40” award.

 

Rodriguez’s work examines the beauty found in the everyday and often overlooked aspects of life. As she puts it, “My art is an exploration of the beautiful mundane—asphalt, weeds, and suburban banality. I create the sensation of déjà vu for a place one has or never has been.”

 

Flyer of eventElena Rodz will give an artist talk about her exhibition, experiences, and inspirations on October 1 from 10 to 11 a.m. in the Pecan Student Union, Building U, Room 2.100. Later that evening, a reception for “Familiar Horizons” will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Pecan Campus Library, Building F. The reception will coincide with the community exhibition “Colors We Dream: A Call for ‘Alebrije’-themed Artwork.”

 

“Familiar Horizons” will be on display from August 25 through December 1 at the STC Pecan Campus Library Art Gallery, located in Building F at 3201 Pecan Blvd., McAllen, TX. The exhibition and the artist talk are free and open to the public.

 

The South Texas College Library Art Gallery Program organizes exhibitions and educational events to deepen students’ understanding of art and its cultural significance, support the academic curriculum, and inspire lifelong learning through direct engagement with artists, scholars, and original works of art.

 

For more information visit https://library.southtexascollege.edu or email gotvos@southtexascollege.edu.

STC Alumni Exhibit Series

Library Art Gallery, Previous Exhibits, Technology Campus

The STC Alumni Exhibit Series returns to the Technology Campus

Reception: Oct. 21, 3 – 4 p.m. at the STC Technology Campus Library (A-179)

The South Texas College Technology Campus Library Art Gallery is pleased to announce the annual STC Alumni Series. This exhibition features paintings by former students Elijah Dueñas, Irma Garza Garcia and Michelle Ramirez. This showcase highlights the transformative power of artist mentorship, with students beginning their studies under STC Art Instructor Luis Corpus and continuing their journey with the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley’s (UTRGV) Painting Instructor Rigoberto Gonzalez.

Join us for a reception celebrating the artwork of these graduates on October 21 from 3 to 4 p.m. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn from former students about their experiences at STC and the opportunities available in the art curriculum.

The exhibit will be on view from August 25 to December 1, 2025, at the STC Technology Campus Library located at 3700 W. Military Hwy, Bldg. A-179, in McAllen. Admission is free and open to the public.

About the artists:

Elijah Dueñas began his college journey as a Computer Science major at STC in 2018, but later decided to switch to fine arts, embarking on a three-year path of artistic growth and improvement. His classes with STC Art Instructor Corpus taught him the fundamentals of drawing forms and shapes accurately, as well as the techniques of painting. When he transferred to UTRGV in 2022, he studied under Gonzalez, who emphasized human anatomy and helped refine his skills over the following two years.

“The classes were initially tough and challenging, but thanks to the guidance of my art instructors at STC and UTRGV, they ignited my love for human portrait art. I will always remember them. Every time I draw, I reflect on how they helped me establish my place in the world of art,” said Dueñas.

Irma Garza Garcia is a dedicated returning student, wife and proud mother of two young adults. She began her academic journey at STC in 1999 at the Starr County campus and returned nearly 20 years later to earn an associate degree in Visual Arts. Her educational experience has been both challenging and rewarding. Garza Garcia credits her STC faculty for their patience and dedication, which have helped her gain a deeper understanding of the diverse perspectives in drawing and painting. Currently attending the UTRGV, she expects to graduate in fall 2026.

Irma encourages others to pursue their goals, stating, “It is never too late to start or resume a postponed goal. The best age for a person is always the present.”

Michelle Ramirez is an oil painter who started developing her skills in high school. She enrolled at STC in 2022, but it wasn’t until her final semester that she took a painting course with Corpus, which reignited her passion for oil painting.

“I never wanted to miss a single session. It provided me with the space to create, learn and evolve as an artist, and I’m deeply grateful for that experience,” she shares.

Now, Ramirez is in her second semester at the UTRGV, where she is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree with a teaching certification, expecting to graduate in 2027. She earned her Associate of Arts in Teaching from STC in 2024.

STC’s Library Art Gallery Program organizes exhibitions and educational programs to enhance students’ understanding of art, support the curriculum and inspire continued education through engagement with artists and original works.

For more information, please email gotvos@southtexascollege.edu or visit https://library.southtexascollege.edu/LAG.

Colors We Dream: A Call for Alebrije-themed Artwork

Library Art Gallery, Pecan Campus, Previous Exhibits


Deadline to submit artwork: September 15, 2025

The South Texas College Library Art Gallery is now accepting submissions for an upcoming exhibition, “Colors We Dream / Colores que Soñamos,” featuring “alebrije”-themed artwork.

The call is open to students, faculty, staff and community members. The deadline to submit artwork is Sept. 15.

Inspired by the captivating world of magical realism, “alebrijes” are fantastical creatures born from the imagination of Mexican-born artist Pedro Linares in the 1950s. They combine elements of different animals, real or imaginary, and are painted with vibrant colors and patterns to create magical, dreamlike beings. Each “alebrije” is a unique reflection of its creator’s spirit and inner world. Though not representations of real animals, they are believed to roam the landscapes of another dimension, connected to our dreams and subconscious.

Artists are encouraged to submit original “alebrije”-themed 2D or 3D artwork suitable for wall display. Artwork must be appropriate for all ages. All mediums are accepted. If generative AI tools are used to create the artwork, they should be cited in the medium. The exhibition will be held at the South Texas College Pecan Campus Library from Oct. 1 through Dec. 1.

An opening reception and awards ceremony will take place Oct. 1 from 5 to 7 p.m. Prizes will be awarded for first, second and third place. Participation is free and open to the public.

To participate, complete the entry form at https://forms.office.com/r/8bYYyrvq2V and deliver artwork to:

South Texas College Library  
Library Art Gallery, Bldg. F, Rm. 235
or Main Circulation Desk
3201 W Pecan Blvd. McAllen, TX 78501

For more information, visit https://library.southtexascollege.edu/lag or email gotvos@southtexascollege.edu.

 

 

Champions of the Starr County Fair: Middle and High Schools

Library Art Gallery, Previous Exhibits, Starr County Campus

Artist Reception: Oct. 14, 10-11 a.m. at the Starr Co. Library Art Gallery.

The South Texas College Starr Campus Library Art Gallery has partnered with the Starr County Fair to present an exhibition showcasing award-winning artworks created by middle and high school students in grades 6-12 across Starr County.

The exhibition will be on display from August 25 to December 1, 2025, at the STC Starr County Campus Library, located in Building F at 142 FM 3167 in Rio Grande City. A reception to celebrate the young artists will take place on October 14 from 10 to 11 a.m. Admission is free and open to the public.

Selected from over 100 entries, the artworks were judged on content, composition, technique, and originality. The student artists were recognized for their creativity, skill and outstanding efforts. This exhibit celebrates student achievement while highlighting the importance of arts education and community support in nurturing future artists.

The STC Library Art Gallery organizes exhibitions and educational programs to enhance students’ understanding of art, support the academic curriculum, and inspire ongoing education through direct engagement with artists, scholars, and original artworks.

For more information, contact gotvos@southtexascollege.edu or visit https://library.southtexascollege.edu/lag.

 

 

 

 

 

South Texas Ceramic Showdown

Library Art Gallery, Pecan Campus, Previous Exhibits

South Texas College Hosts 16th Annual Ceramic Showdown and Exhibition “Reimagination”
June 11 & 12: Hands-on workshops, artist talks and exhibitions. All free and open to the public.

Update: Due to unforeseen circumstances, Greg Busceme is unable to attend the workshops. We’re excited to welcome Pam ONeil and STC alum, now UTRGV Instructor, Rick Sullivan to lead workshops on June 11–12.

The South Texas College Art Department and Library Art Gallery will host the 16th annual ceramics exhibition and event, “South Texas Ceramic Showdown: Reimagination,” featuring two full days of hands-on workshops, artist talks and exhibitions, all free and open to the public.

This year’s conference theme “Reimagination” invites participants to view the familiar through a fresh lens–rethinking or reinventing ideas with the aim of improvement or innovation. The Ceramic Showdown begins June 11 with a day of clay demonstrations by Beaumont artists Greg Busceme and Pam ONeil at the Pecan Campus Ceramic Studio, Building B, Room 115. That same evening, an opening reception will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. at both the Pecan Campus Library Art Gallery and Art Building B.

Workshops and artist talks continue on June 12 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with a scheduled lunch break from noon to 2 p.m.

Chris Leonard, Ceramic Showdown organizer and STC ceramics instructor said Greg Busceme and Pam ONeil connect in and outside the medium of clay while telling great stories.

“Busceme and ONeil will have an exhibition of the work they’ve produced in the Library Art Gallery, with possibly some additions outside of ceramics and explanations of how they’ve made use of education in and outside of art while maintaining an experimental and positive attitude enabling them to grow community involvement and spirit,” said Leonard. Exhibition details:

  • The Library Art Gallery will display ceramic works by Busceme and ONeil from June 11 through Sept. 15.
  • The Art Building B Gallery will showcase collaborative ceramic works from 10 colleges and universities across the country. This show runs June 5 through August 8.

Participating institutions include Arizona Western College, Butte College, College of the Sequoias, Lawrence University, South Texas College, Southeast Missouri State University, Tarrant County College Northwest, Texas A&M University–Kingsville, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and University of Texas at San Antonio.

Wednesday, June 11, 2025—
9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Clay Demonstrations at STC’s Ceramic Studio, B115
2 – 4 p.m. Clay Demonstrations at STC’s Ceramic Studio, B115
5 – 7 p.m. Opening Receptions at the STC Library Art Gallery and STC Building B Gallery

Thursday, June 12, 2025–
9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Clay Demonstrations at Ceramic Studio, B115
2 – 4 p.m. Clay Demonstrations & Ceramic Art Talks, B115

About the artists:

Greg Busceme is a Beaumont-based artist whose work reflects the Texas coast, where marine life and shoreline fossils shape his artistic vision. He began his ceramics journey at Lamar University and earned a Master of Fine Arts in ceramics from Washington University in St. Louis, where he was the program’s first graduate. Busceme is co-founder and executive director of The Art Studio Inc., a nonprofit arts hub established in 1983.

Pam ONeil is a ceramic and mixed media artist with a Master of Fine Arts from Louisiana State University and an associate degree in Nursing from Pima Community College. With over 40 years of experience in health care and a passion for clay, she is a resident artist at The Art Studio, where she integrates diverse disciplines into her artistic practice.

Rick Sullivan holds an MFA in Fine Arts from UTRGV and currently teaches 3D Foundations at the university. He is a ceramic artist, U.S. veteran, and alum of South Texas College.

For more information about the Ceramic Showdown, contact 956-872-3488, email  gotvos@southtexascollege.edu or visit https://library.southtexascollege.edu/lag.