Category Archives: Library Art Gallery

Amado M. Peña Jr.

January 15, 2025Current & Upcoming Exhibits, Library Art Gallery, Pecan Campus, Permanent Art CollectionBeatriz Montejano

STC acquires new works by prominent Laredo-born artist.

Exhibit opens January 21 | Reception and artist talk March 5

South Texas College Library celebrates a generous donation of nine artworks to its 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 Impressions: 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 showcasing these artworks and the “Moon as Muse,” a community and student exhibition, on the library’s first floor 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.

The Moon as Muse: A Love Letter in Art & Verse

January 11, 2025Call for Art, Current & Upcoming Exhibits, Library Art Gallery, Pecan CampusKristen Sanchez

Deadline to submit artwork and poetry: February 17, 2025

The South Texas College Library Art Gallery is hosting a call for artists to submit artwork on the theme of the moon! The moon has long inspired artists across different fields. For painter Vincent van Gogh, it was a muse that illuminated his night scenes. Composer Claude Debussy captured its beauty in his piece Clair de Lune, translating moonlight into music. Meanwhile, Shakespeare used the moon as a recurring symbol in his works, representing themes of love, madness, and the passage of time.

The timeless allure of the moon has sparked creativity across generations, inspiring artists, musicians, and writers alike. Our ancestors looked to the moon to mark the passing of days and seasons, connecting daily rhythms to its cycles. They wove its phases into myths and legends, seeing it as a guiding light in the night sky and a symbol of constancy through change.

Today, we still stand under the same moon, inspired by its beauty, mystery, and even the possibilities of space travel. Share your unique perspective, whether inspired by ancient connections, everyday rhythms, or dreams of distant worlds. We invite artists to create and display work by submitting original art and poetry for an exhibition at the STC Pecan Campus Library Art Gallery March 5 – May 16, 2025. There will be an opening reception and awards on March 5, from 5 – 7 p.m. where participants will get a chance to win first, second, and third place. Participation is free and open to the public. All artwork must be ready to hang.

To participate, complete this entry form: THE MOON AS MUSE

The deadline to submit artwork or poetry is February 17, 2025 at 5 p.m.

Artwork submissions can be dropped off to:

South Texas College Library
Gina Otvos, Bldg. F Rm. 235
3201 W Pecan Blvd.
McAllen, TX 78501

Poetry submissions can be emailed to: gotvos@southtexascollege.edu

Admission is free and open to the public.

The South Texas College Library Art Gallery Program organizes exhibitions and 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, contact 956-872-3488, gotvos@southtexascollege.edu or visit https://library.southtexascollege.edu/libraryartgallery/.

Kim Phu and Jill Garcia: Muthagoose

November 1, 2024Current & Upcoming Exhibits, Library Art Gallery, Mid-Valley CampusBeatriz Montejano

Contemporary mixed-media artist duo from Austin to exhibit in Weslaco
Exhibit opens February 6^th| Closing reception and artist talk April 3^rd

South Texas College Mid-Valley Campus Library Art Gallery is proud to present a captivating mixed-media and installation exhibition by Kim Phu and Jill Garcia, the contemporary artist duo known as Muthagoose.

An artist talk and reception will take place on Thursday, April 3, 2025, from 10 to 11 a.m. During this event, Kim Phu and Jill Garcia will share their journey as artists, offering insights into their creative process and the inspiration behind their collaborative work.

The exhibit opens February 6^th and will be on view until April 3, 2025 at the STC Mid-Valley Campus Library located at 400 N Border, Bldg. E, in Weslaco, TX. The exhibition and artist lecture are free and open to the public. For library hours and location, visit https://library.southtexascollege.edu/aboutus/hourscontact/

Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with the artists and gain a deeper understanding of the themes and techniques featured in the exhibition.

Muthagoose is celebrated for their innovative and playful approach, creating large-scale murals, sculptural exhibits, and digital media installations. Their work explores themes such as societal norms, cultural traditions, mental health, and the complexities of modern life. They employ a variety of mediums, including found objects, sound frequencies, and interactive technologies, to craft unique and impactful art.

Their creative process starts with an open-minded commitment to “say yes” to ideas, allowing opportunities to flourish. Through extensive research and the blending of their distinct styles, they create structured, vintage-inspired pieces using diverse materials. This process results in works that are both thoughtful and engaging.

About the Artists

Kim Phu is an accomplished art director, interactive and web exhibit designer, and ceramist with a BFA from Art Center College of Design in Pasadena. She has collaborated with prestigious institutions and brands like the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), Nike, Nissan, Jimmy Dean, Sony PlayStation, and the National Historical Museum.

Jill Garcia is a versatile painter, sculptor, and mixed-media artist with a BA from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Her work blends iridescent cellophane with sculpture, installation, painting, needlework, and fiber art reflecting themes of nature, motherhood, and personal transformation. Inspired by her surroundings, she uses her art to explore the beauty and challenges of change.

Together, Muthagoose brings a dynamic, thought-provoking perspective to the art world, combining their unique talents to challenge conventions and spark meaningful conversations. This exhibition celebrates their collaborative vision and artistic innovation.

The STC Library Art Gallery curates exhibitions and educational programs to enhance student understanding of art, support academic curriculum and inspire continued education through direct engagement with artists, scholars and original works of art.

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

Visionaries: The Blind in Action

October 10, 2024Pecan Campus, Previous Exhibitsgotvos

Exhibition Reception: Tues., Oct. 22 from 5 – 7 p.m. (Pecan Campus Library, 1st Floor)

The South Texas College Pecan Campus Library Art Gallery presents “Visionaries: The Blind in Action.” Visionaries is a nonprofit organization committed to bringing together the community through workshops and events that involve people who are blind and the wider community.

Macarena Peña, the exhibit’s organizer, began painting in 1997 and lost her sight two years later. In 2015, she co-founded the Visual Challenges Art Project in partnership with the National Federation of the Blind. This project enabled her to reignite her love for art and rediscover her artistic abilities. Peña will work with art students during a “Paint in the Dark” workshop where they will be blind folded and learn about the techniques she uses to paint.

On October 22, visitors can attend an artist reception from 5 to 7 p.m. to meet the artist, view their artworks, and enjoy light refreshments.

The exhibition will be available for viewing from October 22 to December 6, 2024 at the STC Pecan Campus Library, first floor.

For more information, call 956-872-3488, email gotvos@southtexascollege.edu, or visit https://library.southtexascollege.edu/libraryart.

5th Annual Art & Memory Conference hosted by STC’s Philosophy Department

October 1, 2024Previous Exhibitsgotvos

Event Days: Oct. 28 – 31, 2024

South Texas College presents the 5th Annual Art & Memory Conference. This four-day event, hosted by the Division of Liberal Arts, Division of Social & Behavioral Sciences, and the Pecan Campus Library features guest speakers, a film screening, and collaborative altars created by the STC Art and World Languages Department. The conference will offer an engaging exploration of grief from a humanities perspective.

The conference will begin on October 28 with a lecture, “Art, Memory, and Grief in the Works of Kurt Vonnegut,” presented by Richard Coronado, English Instructor at South Texas College.

Throughout the week, there will be several other events, including a poetry reading with Esteban Rodriguez, a screening of “Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life” hosted by Dr. Brittany Leckey, Instructor and Chair of Philosophy at South Texas College, a talk on “Art as Remembrance: Interpretation, Interruption, and the Voices of Those Departed” by Dr. Theodore George from Texas A&M, and a Public Humanities roundtable titled “Haunting Realms: The Intersection of Ghosts, Absence, and Presence.”

The conference will conclude with a Trick-or-Treat at the Library celebration. Students can participate in a Día de los Muertos craft, enjoy pan de muerto provided by the STC Culinary Arts Department, and listen to Halloween classics performed by STC’s Jazz Ensemble. Following this will be poetry readings by Isaac Chavarria, Erika Garza, and McAllen Poet Laureate Daniel García Ordaz in Auditorium Building D.

The theme of this year’s conference, Art, Memory, and Death, offers a distinct platform for South Texas College and the community to engage in a thoughtful exploration of the intersections between memory, grief, and the transformative role art plays in navigating these significant human experiences.

All events are free and open to the public.

For more information, contact Brittany Leckey at 956-872-5528, email bleckey@southtexascollege.edu, or visit https://library.southtexascollege.edu/5artandmemory.

Her.mosa Collective Art Exhibition

September 12, 2024Previous Exhibitsgotvos

Exhibition at STC Pecan Campus explores how public art can teach community collaboration and empowerment.

Artist Talk: Sept. 23, 2024, 10 – 11 a.m. (STC Bldg. U 2.100) | Reception: Sept. 23, 2024, 5 – 7 p.m. (STC Library Bldg. F)

The South Texas College Pecan Campus Library Art Gallery proudly presents “What If We Just Stayed Here? ¿Y Si Nos Quedamos Aqui?” an exhibition by the Her.mosa Collective featuring three artists from South Texas: Alexandria Conchola, Mónica Lugo and Sam Rawls.

This exhibition explores the realms of public art and collaboration, employing vibrant colors and intricate patterns that delve into themes of empowerment and community. The exhibit will showcase several new artworks that reflect the artists’ collective approach to muralism, while also incorporating individual styles to reveal unique identities. All three artists received a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.

According to the artists, “Our art celebrates joy, optimism and the wish for a peaceful world, a safe haven. We aim to connect people to their inner child and encourage a sense of play, embracing the idea that it’s okay to be silly.”

The artists gave a talk on September 23 from 10 – 11 a.m. at the STC Pecan Campus Bldg. U, 2.100, followed by a reception later that evening from 5 – 7 p.m. at the Pecan Library, Bldg. F.

Alexandria Conchola, an assistant professor of Art in Graphic Design at Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi, creates immersive installations influenced by narrative, color and filmmaking. Mónica Lugo, a graphic designer and illustrator, explores typographic design and geometric abstraction in her work. Sam Rawls‘s art, rooted in appreciation, is a visual dialogue of self-acceptance, self-expression and the nuanced depth of personal experience.

The exhibit opened Monday, August 26, and will be on view until December 6, 2024.

The exhibition will be at the STC Pecan Campus Library Art Gallery, Building F, located at 3201 Pecan Blvd. McAllen, TX. The exhibition and art talk are free and open to the public.

The South Texas College Library Art Gallery Program organizes exhibitions and 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 details about this exhibit or additional programming, please visit https://library.southtexascollege.edu/libraryart or contact gotvos@southtexascollege.edu.

Weren’t able to view the exhibition in person? Check it out virtually here: Virtual Tour

Our Language by Corinne Whittemore

July 31, 2024Library Art Gallery, Mid-Valley Campus, Previous ExhibitsKristen Sanchez

Graphic Designer, Corinne Whittemore, explores themes inspired by the Rio Grande Valley at STC’s Mid-Valley Library Art Gallery.

Artist Talk & Reception: October 3^rd from 1 – 2 p.m. at the STC Mid-Valley Campus Library (Bldg E – 1.210)

The South Texas College Mid-Valley Campus Library Art Gallery is hosting an exhibition titled “Our Language/Nuestra Lengua,” which will showcase mixed-media collage works created by artist Corinne Whittemore.

Whittemore, who grew up in the Rio Grande Valley, earned her MFA in Visual Communications from the University of Arizona and has been teaching graphic design at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley for the last five years. With over fifteen years of experience in graphic design, Whittemore has worked as a Production Artist, Graphic Designer, Marketing Coordinator, and Freelancer on both the East and West Coasts.

About her work, Whittemore says, “My art is an exploration of my environment both in identifiable geographic areas and as a perceived and sacred internal space that visually and linguistically blends local experience and character.”

An artist talk and reception will be held at the STC Mid-Valley Campus Library on October 3 from 1 to 2 p.m.

The exhibit will open on Tuesday, September 3, and be on display until November 22, 2024. The Mid-Valley Campus Library is located at 400 N Border (Bldg E – 1.210) in Weslaco, TX

The exhibition and artist talk are free of charge and open to anyone who wishes to attend.

The South Texas College Library Art Gallery hosts exhibitions and educational programs to foster students’ understanding of art, support the academic curriculum, and encourage continued learning through direct engagement with artists, scholars, and original works of art.

For more information, call 956-447-6663, email gotvos@southtexascollege.edu, or visit https://library.southtexascollege.edu/libraryart.

State Fair Photography Exhibition

July 25, 2024Library Art Gallery, Previous Exhibitsgotvos

Beginning August 26, 2024, the South Texas College Pecan Campus Library will present State Fair, an exhibition produced by the Dolph Briscoe Center for American History at The University of Texas at Austin, presented in partnership with Humanities Texas, the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

“State Fair” is a visual distillation of Arthur Grace’s photographic odyssey through fairs in ten states—California, Colorado, Florida, Indiana, Kansas, Minnesota, North Carolina, Ohio, Texas, and Virginia. Time and again, regardless of geographical location, Grace’s images deftly capture the strange mixture of the traditional, the kitsch, and the off-the-wall that is unique to these annual gatherings, which began as a celebration of rural American life and have evolved into super-sized extravaganzas. Whether the photographs show the beaming pride of 4-H egg champions, the intensity of a tattooed arm wrestler, or a forlorn alligator waiting to be “wrestled” in a wading pool, the authenticity of Grace’s imagery is unmistakable.

There will be a reception on Sept. 23, from 5 – 7 p.m. at the STC Pecan Campus Library.

The exhibition will be available to the public from August 26 to October 2, 2024. For more information about viewing hours or to arrange group visits, contact Gina Otvos, Coordinator of Library Art Galleries at (956) 872-3488.

Humanities Texas develops and supports diverse programs across the state, including lectures, oral history projects, teacher institutes, museum exhibitions and documentary films. For more information, please visit Humanities Texas online at http://www.humanitiestexas.org or call 512.440.1991.

South Texas College Library Services contributes to academic success at South Texas College by providing learning-centered environments, exceptional services, and high-quality information resources.

STC Alumni Series: Fabian Chavarria

July 1, 2024Library Art Gallery, Previous Events, Technology CampusKristen Sanchez

Artist Talk & Reception: November 11, 3 – 4 p.m. at the STC Technology Campus Library (A179)

The South Texas College Technology Campus Library Art Gallery celebrates its annual STC Alumni Series with an exhibition of Fabian Chavarria’s mixed-media paintings and sculptures. The series aims to support artists who began their education at STC and have since continued their work in the arts.

As an STC graduate, Chavarria went on to earn his BFA and MFA at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and now works to educate the next generation of artists.

Chavarria states, “I use my art for personal and societal transformation, fostering positivity and growth to share knowledge and inspire individuals to step outside their comfort zones and create change in the world.

Chavarria will host an artist talk on November 11 from 3 to 4 p.m. During this talk, Participants can discover the process, techniques, and inspiration behind his artwork.

The exhibit opened Monday, August 26, and will be on view until December 11, 2024. The Technology Campus Library is located at 3700 W Military Highway in McAllen, TX.

Admission is free and open to the public.

STC’s Library Art Gallery Program arranges exhibitions and educational programs to involve students in art and its cultural significance. They support the academic curriculum and encourage further education through direct interaction with artists, scholars, and original artworks.

For more information, call 956-872-6120, email gotvos@southtexascollege.edu, or visit https://library.southtexascollege.edu/libraryart.

Self Portrait Deconstruction by Eduardo Quintero

June 30, 2024Library Art Gallery, Previous Exhibits, Starr County CampusKristen Sanchez

Art Talk: September 12, from 10 – 11 a.m.

The South Texas College Starr Co. Library Art Gallery presents artist Eduardo Quintero’s mixed media exhibit, “Self Portrait Deconstruction.”

Quintero is an art instructor at South Texas College. He combines pre-Columbian styles with modern icons using drawing, painting and collage. He earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with a concentration in Studio Art in 2005 and a Master of Fine Arts degree with a two-dimensional specialization in 2011 from the University of Texas-Pan American. While pursuing his MFA, he also received a Graduate Certificate in Mexican American Studies.

Eduardo Quintero will lead an art talk on September 12 from 10 to 11 a.m., during which participants will learn about his inspiration and process. Light refreshments will be provided.

The display and event will be at the STC Starr Co. Campus Library Art Gallery, Building K, 142 FM 3167 in Rio Grande City, TX. The exhibition and art talk are free and open to the public.

The exhibit opens on Thursday, September 12, and will be on view until December 2, 2024.

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