Category Archives: Current & Upcoming Exhibits

Amado M. Peña Jr.

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

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 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 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.

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

Call for Art, Current & Upcoming Exhibits, Library Art Gallery, Pecan Campus

The Moon as Muse blog banner with a yellow full moon. 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

Current & Upcoming Exhibits, Library Art Gallery, Mid-Valley Campus

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

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 6th 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.