Category Archives: Library Art Gallery

Juneteenth Featured

Juneteenth Observance 2020

Library Art Gallery, Previous Exhibits

South Texas College Library Hosting 2020 Juneteenth Observation
Series of events to celebrate the history of African American culture in McAllen

Juneteenth icon banner
The South Texas College Library and the RGV Juneteenth Committee observe Juneteenth 2020 with three days of virtual programming beginning June 17th – 19th on the STC Library Blog: https://library.southtexascollege.edu/tag/juneteenth/.

Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the abolition of slavery in the United States, enacted on June 19, 1865, when news of the Emancipation Proclamation finally reached Texas. It is celebrated every June 19 and is recognized as a state holiday or special day of observance in forty-five states, including Texas.

McAllen celebrations and events will begin on Saturday, June 13 and run until June 19, 2020, with a proclamation of the historical observation with McAllen Mayor Jim Darling. Clean-up events, cultural arts and book displays, a documentary and screening are just some of the events scheduled for the celebration this year highlighting the theme “Perfecting Unity.”

“It is important to recognize the historical and cultural contributions of African Americans to the city and appreciate the value of diversity. We are devoted to ensuring the equitable and inclusive treatment of all citizens and visitors to our community,” said Mayor Darling. “In fact, now more than ever, we need healthy and respectful dialogue that addresses the issue of race relations of this and every community in the United States. I hope everyone in the community can come take part of this celebration.”

McAllen’s celebrations will be capped off with a brief reflection service on Friday, June 19 that will begin at Bethel Garden, 1322 S 16th St., starting at 10:00 a.m. Immediately following the ceremony, a “CARavan” will take off from Faith Fellowship Church, 600 S. 21st St., and make its way to McAllen City Hall, 1300 W. Houston Ave., for a proclamation celebration at 12:00 p.m.

Here in the Rio Grande Valley, the African American community continues to grow, especially in McAllen where the African-American population is roughly 1% of the total 143,000 residents.

For a full list of events and activities go to the Rio Grande Valley Juneteenth website at http://juneteenthrgv.com or contact the South Texas College Library at (956) 872-3488, gotvos@southtexascollege.edu or visit: https://library.southtexascollege.edu.

  1. “Just a Ferry Ride to Freedom”


“Just a Ferry Ride to Freedom” showcases stories about the Texas-Mexico border and its connection to the Underground Railroad.

About the film, the Community Historical Archaeology Project with Schools (CHAPS) at UTRGV says, “Rooted in pre-Civil War Texas along the Rio Grande between the emerging cities of Laredo and Brownsville, this film highlights mixed-race ranches in Hidalgo County and illustrates how culturally diverse the Rio Grande Valley really is. Lifeways developed during that time still influence life along the border and across the US today. Featured in the film are community leaders, ranchers, scholars, and historians who find out how a just a ferry ride across the border to freedom altered the course of US history.”

2. Mural of Bethel Baptist Missionary Church & Booker T. Washington School

Interview with muralist Cristela Cano about her painting located at South 16th St and Booker T. Washington Avenue. The mural depicts the importance of the African American church and the Booker T. Washington School that were a part of what was once a thriving African American neighborhood in McAllen.

Interview with Mrs. Lula Eugene Stroud, a former student of Booker T. Washington school:

Juneteenth 2019 Tribute to Mrs. Stroud; This video was prepared for the Juneteenth 2019 Tribute to Mrs. Lula Eugene Stroud. It is comprised of a portion of her 2018 UTRGV oral history interview along with images of Booker T. Washington School, Bethel Garden, and Restlawn Cemetery., 2019-06-18. University Library, Special Collections & University Archives, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Edinburg, Texas. https://archive.org/details/StroudTribute_Juneteenth2019 

3. McAllen City Hall – Reading of the RGV Juneteenth Observance Proclamation (Proclamation begins at 8 : 30 after community speakers)

Juneteenth 2020

Ceramic Virtual Demo: Carla Hughes

Library Art Gallery, Pecan Campus, Previous Exhibits

The South Texas College Library begins video series for online students.Carla Hughes
The South Texas College Library Art Gallery presents a virtual ceramic demonstration with Carla Hughes, a complete instructional video on mug making. The ceramic demonstration will premiere on Thursday, June 11, 2020, at 8 am.

About her artwork, Hughes says, “As the world seemed to become more and more polarized, I began to see pots as a way to bring people together. If you have beautiful serving pieces, aren’t you going to want to invite people over for meals? Aren’t you going to want to fill the pots and then the people with nourishment? Won’t those bright colors and unique pieces help set the tone for optimism and cooperation? Potential mealtime conversations are the driving force behind my making pottery.”

Carla Hughes received her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Sculpture from The University of Texas-Pan American in Edinburg, Texas.

The South Texas College Library Art Gallery Program organizes exhibitions and educational programs to engage student understanding of art and its role in culture, support academic curriculum, and inspire continued education through direct engagement with artists, scholars, and original works of art.

For more information contact Gina Otvos at (956) 872-3488, gotvos@southtexascollege.edu, or visit https://library.southtexascollege.edu/LibraryArt.

Learning Art Techniques with Author/Illustrator-Carolyn Dee Flores

Author / Scholar Visit, Current & Upcoming Events, Current & Upcoming Exhibits, Current Announcements, Library Announcements, Library Events

Please grab a comfortable seat, a pen, notebook, and sit down to enjoy this video presentation with Author/Illustrator Carolyn Dee Flores.  The video is tailored to Art students at South Texas College, a professional sharing her expertise about different techniques and ideas.  The video is approximately 60 minutes in length.

https://carolyndeeflores.com/

Dream Believer

Current & Upcoming Exhibits, Library Art Gallery, Pecan Campus


South Texas College’s Library Art Gallery presents “Dream Believer,” an exhibition featuring UFO themed artwork by artist Esther Pearl Watson and community artists. The exhibit opens June 1st and will be on view through December 1, 2020. The STC Library Art Gallery is located at 3201 W Pecan Blvd. in McAllen. Admission is free and open to the public.

Esther Pearl Watson and Mark Todd created a zine exercise called, “Half Empty. Half Full.” You can link to it here.Zine exercise tutorial

Watson’s paintings can be seen featured in this video with music by her daughter, Lili Todd.

Watson also collaborated with the band “Cocoon” to make a music video using her paintings.

Student work inspired by zine exercise: https://www.dropbox.com/s/oao23z83whummyo/ClassWork_2020_.pdf?dl=0

STC’s Library Art Gallery Program organizes exhibitions and educational programs to engage student understanding of art and its role in culture, support academic curriculum, and inspire continued education through direct engagement with artists, scholars, and original works of art.

For more information contact the gallery at (956) 872-3488 or gotvos@southtexascollege.edu or visit https://library.southtexascollege.edu/libraryart.

Tejanx Borderz

Current & Upcoming Exhibits, Library Art Gallery, Starr County Campus

STC Starr County Campus exhibit explores pattern and modern imagerySouth Texas College’s Starr County Campus Library Art Gallery presents “Tejanx Borderz,” an exhibit featuring paintings by Mayra Zamora. The exhibit opens Tuesday, February 18 and will be on view through Friday, December 11, 2020 at the Starr County Campus Library, located at 142 FM 3167 in Rio Grande City. Admission is free and open to the public.

Mayra Zamora was born in Austin and raised in a small town of Tivoli, Texas. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Art and Master’s Degree in Secondary Education from Texas A&M University at Corpus Christi. Zamora focuses on what she considers the most important elements of art; line, shape, and color, while incorporating Mexican-American iconography.

On April 22, 2020, Library Art Gallery Coordinator, Gina Otvos, and Amanda Jasso, MLS, spoke with Mayra Zamora about her artwork, inspiration and process. The artist interview can be viewed here:

STC’s Library Art Gallery Program organizes exhibitions and educational programs to engage student understanding of art and its role in culture, support 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/libraryart.

Bruno: The Legacy of an Artist – Educator

Library Art Gallery, Pecan Campus, Previous Exhibits

South Texas College Library looks at impact of mentorship in new exhibition

Andrade Banner

The South Texas College Pecan Campus Library Art Gallery, in collaboration with STC’s Visual Art Department, presents an exhibition that encompasses both floors of the STC Library featuring original work by the late Bruno Andrade, curated by his son Trey Andrade.

The Gallery proudly presents “Bruno: The Legacy of an Artist – Educator”, an exhibit that began in January and lasting until February 27, 2020.

There will be a closing reception from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the South Texas College Pecan Campus Library Art Gallery located at 3201 W. Pecan Blvd. on Thursday, Feb. 27th in McAllen. Rolando Reyna and Joe Peña will lead a lecture at 10 a.m. in the STC Library Rainbow Room and a workshop at 1 p.m. in the Art Building, B113. All events are free and open to the public.

“Bruno: The Legacy of an Artist – Educator,” is also comprised by a simultaneous exhibition of artwork by Andrade’s former students, most of whom have gone on to be professional artists themselves. Their work will be exhibited on the first floor of the library, and offers insight into the relationship of mentors and the lasting impact of instructors.

STC Visual Art Professors, Luis Corpus and Richard Smith, were both students of Andrade at Texas A&M Corpus Christi. Corpus attending from 2006-2009, and Smith from 1986-89.

“Acknowledging Bruno’s impact is a reflection upon our own successes and the foundation that education provides in general,” said Corpus, who is now Art Department Chair and art instructor at South Texas College.

“Bruno showed me how to find my voice through paint,” Smith said about the late professor.

STC’s Library Art Gallery Program organizes exhibitions and educational programs to engage student understanding of art and its role in culture, support academic curriculum, and inspire continued education through direct engagement with artists, scholars, and original works of art.

For more information contact STC Library Art Gallery Coordinator, Gina Otvos at (956) 872-3488, gotvos@southtexascollege.edu or visit https://library.southtexascollege.edu/libraryart.

The Wound of the Malinches

Library Art Gallery, Mid-Valley Campus, Previous Exhibits

STC’s Mid-Valley Campus Library Art Gallery hosts an exhibition of site-specific installation.

Leticia Banner

Reception & Performance: March 10 from 6 to 7 p.m. | Lecture: 11:30 a.m.

South Texas College’s Mid-Valley Campus Library Art Gallery presents “The Wound of the Malinches,” an installation exhibition by ceramic artist Leticia Lowry-Garcilazo. On Tuesday, March 10, the library will host a lecture at 11:30 in E 1.106 followed by a performance and reception at 6:00 p.m. in E 1.210 located at 400 N Border Ave in Weslaco, Texas. Admission is free and open to the public.

Leticia Lowry-Garcilazo recently completed her Master’s in Fine Arts degree at The University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley. Through her work she is an advocate for women’s rights.

About her work Leticia Lowry-Garcilazo says, “I was a spectator and I am a survivor of violence. I was tired and overwhelmed from being blamed. I learned to focus and deal with my anger through my work in the arts confronting and advocating for gender equality and women empowerment.”

The exhibit opens January 28 and runs through April 19, 2020.

STC’s Library Art Gallery Program organizes exhibitions and educational programs to engage student understanding of art and its role in culture, support academic curriculum, and inspire continued education through direct engagement with artists, scholars, and original works of art.

For more information contact the Library Art Gallery Coordinator, Gina Otvos, at (956) 872-3488 or gotvos@southtexascollege.edu or visit https://library.southtexascollege.edu/libraryart.

Alumni Series: Veronica Matamoros

Current & Upcoming Exhibits, Library Art Gallery, Technology Campus,

South Texas College’s Technology Library exhibits photography by recent graduate.
South Texas College’s Technology Campus Library Art Gallery presents “STC Alumni Series,” an exhibit featuring photographs by former STC student, Veronica Matamoros.

The library is located at 3700 W. Military Hwy, Building A, in McAllen. Admission is free and open to the public.

Veronica Matamoros studied photography and received her Bachelor’s in Communication from La Universidad Iberoamerica de Puebla. She was recently awarded an Associate Degree in Imports and Exports at South Texas College. In this series of photographs, “Mi Gente,” Matamoros uses 35mm film to document people from her life in Puebla, Mexico.

The exhibit will be on view February 4 through December 4, 2020.

STC’s Library Art Gallery Program organizes exhibitions and educational programs to engage student understanding of art and its role in culture, support academic curriculum, and inspire continued education through direct engagement with artists, scholars, and original works of art.

For more information contact Library Art Gallery Coordinator, Gina Otvos, at (956) 872-3488 or gotvos@southtexascollege.edu or visit https://library.southtexascollege.edu/libraryart.

Connections

Library Art Gallery, NAH Campus, Previous Exhibits

South Texas College opens new art gallery at the Nursing & Allied Health Campus Library.


Workshop: Tuesday, April 21 from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. 

South Texas College’s Nursing & Allied Health Library Art Gallery proudly presents, “Connections,” an exhibit of hand tufted tapestries by Rachel Comminos. The exhibit opens on February 11 and runs through May 11, 2020.

“Connections” marks the opening of the new Nursing & Allied Health Library Art Gallery. The gallery will feature artwork inspired by creative wellness and the medical field to explore the role art can play in health and healing.

On Tuesday, April 21 from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m., artist Rachel Comminos will lead a workshop at the Nursing & Allied Health Library Deep Quiet Study Room. In the workshop participants will learn the techniques of creating hand tufted tapestries and how these techniques can be used as sensory therapy. The STC Nursing and Allied Health Library Art Gallery is located at 1101 E. Vermont Ave. in McAllen, TX. All events are free and open to the public.

Comminos has her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Texas at San Antonio and is to co-director of Comminos Studio in Harlingen, TX.

The South Texas College Library Art Gallery Program organizes exhibitions and educational programs to engage student understanding of art and its role in culture, support academic curriculum, and inspire continued education through direct engagement with artists, scholars, and original works of art.

For more information contact Library Art Gallery Coordinator, Gina Otvos, at gotvos@southtexascollege.edu or (956) 872-3488 or visit: https://library.southtexascollege.edu/libraryart.

Borderígena: Many Times Over / Our Lady Of Guadalupe Community Exhibit

Library Art Gallery, Pecan Campus, Previous Exhibits


South Texas College presents artwork inspired by experiences in South Texas.

Image credit: Jesus De La Rosa, Mexican Candy, Acrylic on wood panel, 12 x 12 in., 2018, private collection & Joshua R. Villareal, Our Lady of Guadalupe, 2019.

1:00 – 2:00 PM         Art Talk: Borderígena by Jesus De La Rosa (STC Library Rainbow Room, F224)
2:30 – 3:30 PM         Art Talk: Christian Art Thru the Ages by Patricia Ballinger (STC Library Rainbow Room, F224)
5:00 – 7:00 PM         Reception: Borderígena & Our Lady of Guadalupe (STC Library Art Gallery, F226)

MCALLEN, TEXAS (Oct. 9, 2019) South Texas College’s Library Art Gallery proudly presents Borderígena, an exhibit with layered mixed-media paintings by Jesus De La Rosa.  De La Rosa was raised in the Rio Grande Valley and Nuevo Progreso, Mexico.  He spent his early life traveling across the U.S/Mexico border as a result of his parents working in Mexico and living in Texas. His borderland experience plays a pivotal role in his art practice.  De La Rosa earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Texas A&M University-Kingsville and a Master of Fine Arts from The Ohio State University at Columbus, where he was awarded a Graduate Enrichment Fellowship. As an Associate Professor of Art at Texas A&M University-Kingsville, De La Rosa teaches introductory and advanced courses in printmaking and graphic design.

Borderígena will be located on the first floor of the Pecan Library Art Gallery, inside Building F.

Also running concurrently is Our Lady of Guadalupe Community Exhibit.  The group exhibit will feature many artwork depictions inspired by La Virgen de Guadalupe.  The purpose of this exhibition is to allow the community to share their artistic vision of La Virgen de Guadalupe as a cultural icon for her day of apparition on December 12.

Our Lady of Guadalupe Community Exhibit will be located on the 2nd floor of the Pecan Library Art Gallery.

Both exhibits open Oct. 17 and run through December 12, 2019.

On Oct. 17, 2019, there will be an opening art talk by Jesus de la Rosa from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.  Following the artist talk, a second lecture “Christian Art Through the Ages” will be presented by Patricia Ballinger from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.  Both lectures will be held in the Pecan Library Rainbow Room.  Later in the evening, a reception for both exhibitions will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Pecan Campus Library Art Gallery.  The exhibits are located at 3201 W. Pecan Blvd. in McAllen. Admission is free and open to the public.

The South Texas College Library Art Gallery Program organizes exhibitions and educational programs to engage student understanding of art and its role in culture, support academic curriculum, and inspire continued education through direct engagement with artists, scholars, and original works of art.

This story can be found online at: https://news.southtexascollege.edu/south-texas-college-presents-artwork-inspired-by-experiences-in-the-borderlands/