Category Archives: Previous Exhibits

Nothing to Declare but the Clothes on our Backs

Library Art Gallery, Pecan Campus, Previous Exhibits

collabeditSouth Texas College’s Pecan Campus Library presents “Nothing to Declare but the Clothes on our Backs,” an exhibit featuring collaborative artwork by Phyllis Evans, David Freeman and Leila Hernandez. The exhibit opens Sep. 6 with an opening reception from 6 to 8 p.m. Talks with the artist will be held the same day at 2:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. at the Pecan Campus Library Rainbow Room, located at 3201 W. Pecan Blvd. in McAllen. The exhibit will be on view through Dec, 2013. Admission is free and open to the public.

South Texas College art instructors Evans, Freeman and Hernandez collaborate on an art installation that focuses on the U.S. – Mexico border and the dangers and challenges that have arisen due to the building of the border wall. The installation also speaks of the blending of cultures on both sides of the border as well as the economy of selling mass-produced border kitsch items.

Through photography and Xerox transfers on fabric, Evans documents political divisions created by the border wall as it commands traffic in agriculture, industry, natural resources and international relations. Her work critiques U.S. policy and poses as a reminder that historically and universally, walls have repeatedly failed in their purpose and have only served to create divisions without solving problems.

Freeman also uses photography and transfers to create printed conceptual trophies based on situations that plague the border including drug runners, illegal immigrants and coyotes. “The trophy is a symbol of dedication and hard work in achieving a goal in life and in Mexico today the cartel are the victors, not the police or the citizens,” said Freeman.

Hernandez utilizes fabric from local ropa usada stores (second-hand clothing stores) to create dolls of Mexican and Central American influence or muñecas de trapo. Her work represents the undocumented work force crossing the border to work as maids, gardeners and pickers.

“This work manages to touch on the biggest issues that plague our area, while still maintaining an overall playful and tactile quality,” said STC Art Gallery Associate Dawn Haughey. “The printed scenes of barbed wire, labor workers and large machinery on colorful flowered bed sheets, produces a visually satisfying juxtaposition of imagery.”

STC’s Library Art Gallery exhibits regional, national and international artwork, explores new visions and theories of creativity, and introduces innovative artistic expressions to the South Texas region.

For more information, contact Dawn Haughey at 956-872-3488, or via email at dhaughey@southtexascollege.edu.

Delicate Statements: Works in Pastel

Library Art Gallery, Mid-Valley Campus, Previous Exhibits

geishaSouth Texas College’s Mid-Valley Campus Library Art Gallery presents “Delicate Statements: Works in Pastel,” featuring artwork by Luis Fernando Hernandez. The exhibit opens Monday, July 1, 2013 and will be on view through Friday, Sept. 13. The Mid-Valley Campus Library Art Gallery is located at 400 N. Border in Weslaco. Admission is free and open to the public.

Luis Fernando Hernandez was born in Aguascalientes, Mexico, and has received artistic training in oil painting, watercolor, pencil, carbon, pastel, drawing, wash, color pencil, and acrylics. He was personally trained by master miniaturist Sergio Martinez Sanchez from 2008 – 2010. Hernandez continues his training in the dry pastel technique while working as a Director at Greco Consulting in Veracruz, Mexico.

“Hernandez’s soft and precise application of color allows the viewer to be easily drawn in,” said STC Art Gallery Associate Dawn Haughey. “He is very skilled in his technique and uses it to create a feeling of femininity and cultural pride.”

STC’s Library Art Gallery exhibits regional, national and international artwork, explores new visions and theories of creativity, and introduces innovative artistic expressions to the South Texas region.

For more information contact Dawn Haughey at 956-872-3488, or via email at dhaughey@southtexascollege.edu.

ceramic showdown 2013

South Texas Ceramic Showdown: Clear as Mud

Library Art Gallery, Pecan Campus, Previous Exhibits,

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STC’s Library Art Gallery and the Visual Arts & Music Department present “A South Texas Ceramic Showdown: Clear as Mud.” This is the seventh year we’ve collaborated with VAM on the Ceramic Showdown, and this one is going to be great. We will be featuring ceramic works by nationally recognized and distinguished ceramicists Kirk Mangus and Billy Ritter.

Mangus earned his Master of Fine Arts from Washington State University. He has been the Head of Ceramics at Kent State University since 1985 and has taught at numerous institutions including the Cleveland Institute of Art and the University of Georgia Athens Cortona, Italy Program.

Ritter earned his Master of Fine Arts from Kent State University. He currently works as a Ceramics Instructor/Ceramic Lab Technician at the Art House Inc. in Cleveland, Ohio and as a Ceramics Instructor at the Orange Art Center in Pepper Pike, Ohio.

An exhibit reception will be held on June 6 in the Visual Arts and Music Gallery and the Pecan Campus Library Art Gallery from 6 to 8 pm, respectively. A two-day ceramics workshop will be held June 7th from 9 am – 12 pm and 1:30 – 4:30 pm and June 8th at 9 am – 12 pm at STC’s Pecan Campus Art Building Ceramics Lab, Room 113. Art talks will take place Saturday, June 8 from 1:30 to 3:30 pm. The exhibit will remain on display until August 12, 2013.

The Library Art Gallery is also proud to present “Machistas Y Vanidad” (“Macho and Vanity”), an exhibit featuring artwork by Noel Palmenez. This exhibit addresses a person’s exterior appearance and how we wish ourselves to be perceived. It also dissects what it means to be “macho.”

Noel Palmenez earned an MS from Texas A&M University and an MFA from The University at Texas Pan-American in painting, drawing and sculpture. He currently teaches at UTB Brownsville.

The exhibit opens Thursday, June 6 and will be on view through Friday, August 12, 2013. Artist talks will be held on the opening day at 2:30 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. at the Pecan Campus Library Rainbow Room. Reception will follow from 6 pm – 8 pm on the library’s 1st floor.

Lectures and receptions are always free and open to the public! Please see the flyer below and be sure to share it with your friends and family.

For more information contact Gina Otvos at 956-872-3488 or libraryart@southtexascollege.edu, or visit the Library Art Gallery website.

wildlife photography collection

Wildlife Photography

Library Art Gallery, Pecan Campus, Previous Exhibits

lag-wildlife South Texas College’s Pecan Campus Library proudly presents its newly acquired collection of wildlife photography. This large-scale photo display will be unveiled before the library open house events on Thursday, April 18 at 10:30 a.m. in the library foyer. The STC Pecan Campus Library is located at 3201 W. Pecan Blvd. in McAllen. Admission is free and open to the public.

The Library Art Gallery’s permanent installation of local wildlife photography features bright and vivid images taken right here in the Rio Grande Valley by photographers Steve Bentsen, Kaitlyn Ciomperlik, Dennis Erhart, Cody Gregg, Ruth Hoyt, Seth Patterson, James Nabours, Rolf Nussbaumer, John Pickles, and Daniela Setien.

Smaller scale photos have been installed in the information commons room in the new West Academic Building, while larger photos will grace the walls of the library foyer.

“We’re very proud to be able to display these photos as a permanent exhibit at STC’s library,” said Cody Gregg, STC director of instructional technologies. “Many people are unaware of the incredible diversity of wildlife in the Rio Grande Valley. These photos highlight the beauty of our wildlife and the works of talented photographers.”

STC’s Library Art Gallery exhibits regional, national and international artwork, explores new visions and theories of creativity, and introduces innovative artistic expressions to the South Texas region.

For more information, contact Gina Otvos at 956-872-3488, libraryart@southtexascollege.edu or visit the Library Art Gallery Website.

A South Texas Ceramic Showdown: Wedged Together

Library Art Gallery, Previous Exhibits,

lag-wedged South Texas College’s Library Art Gallery Program, together with the college’s Visual Arts and Music Department, brings the RGV its annual ceramics exhibition and workshop, “A South Texas Ceramic Showdown: Wedged Together.” All activities are free and open to the public.

The event includes a full display of ceramic works by art students and professors from regional universities and community colleges. The exhibit will be on view from June 4 to August 13, 2012 at the college’s Pecan Campus Art Building Art Gallery located at 3201 West Pecan Blvd. in McAllen.

A two-day ceramics workshop takes place June 15 and 16 at STC’s Pecan Campus Art Building Ceramics Lab, Room 113. Art talks will take place Saturday, June 16 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the same location. An exhibit reception will be held on June 14 in the Visual Arts and Music Gallery and the Pecan Campus Library Art Gallery from 6 to 8 p.m.

Participants will see clay demonstrations by nationally recognized and distinguished ceramicists Billy Ray Mangham and Pat Johnson. Mangham earned his Master of Fine Arts from Stephen F. Austin University in Nacogdoches, Texas. He taught at the Austin Museum of Art and Austin Community College for 10 years and currently runs the Eye of the Dog Art Center in San Marcos, Texas with his wife Beverly. Johnson earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts from North Texas State University. She currently runs the Live Oak Art Center in Columbus, Texas and has been involved in civic affairs, ranging from serving as a precinct judge, to working on environmental matters.

“We are excited to have the opportunity to continue with our annual Ceramics Showdown and maintain the presentations from established ceramic artists while also experimenting a bit with the institutional participation in sharing and showing collaborative ceramic art,” said Chris Leonard, STC ceramics instructor and exhibit/workshop organizer. “This year we are fortunate to have a pair of Texas based artists, Pat Johnson and Billy Ray Mangum whose work, work ethic, and attitudes will certainly be a shot in the arm for our own RGV students. They are longtime friends and are known in ceramic circles for much more than just their ceramic wares.”

“The institutional invite has the possibility for continuing to be something unique and once again has a collaborative format,” added Leonard. “Entitled ‘Wedged Together’, the call for work is in a format of a problem to solve; it will be interesting to see the range of solutions, though at the present I am a bit apprehensive because in clay this much is true – you never know what you are going to get. Come check us out.”

South Texas College’s Library Art Gallery Program exhibits regional, national and international artwork, explores new visions and theories of creativity, and introduces innovative artistic expressions to the South Texas region.

For more information contact Dawn Haughey at 956-872-3488 or at libraryart@southtexascollege.edu, or visit Library Art Gallery Website.

The Nature of Stillness

Library Art Gallery, Previous Exhibits

lag-stillness “The Nature of Stillness” a photography exhibit featuring works by Ruth Hoyt and Roel Guerra is on display now through Friday, May 11, 2012 at South Texas College’s Pecan Campus Library. The exhibit will be on view on the first and second floors of the library, which is located at 3201 W. Pecan Blvd. in McAllen. Admission is free and open to the public.

“This diverse collection of photographs lets the viewer take a walk outside and witness the spectacular beauty that surrounds us in the Rio Grande Valley,” said Dawn Haughey, STC Library Art Gallery associate. “Hoyt and Guerra present skillfully captured images of wildlife, landscapes and architecture that burst with vibrant color and dramatic shadows.”

Hoyt is a naturalist and full-time photographer who enjoys spending time outdoors. She lives on a South Texas ranch where she photographs, writes, leads workshops and tours, teaches nature and digital photography and makes public speaking appearances. Her work has been shown at the Smithsonian Institute and has appeared in publications for National Geographic, The Nature Conservancy and The Valley Land Fund, to name a few.

Guerra specializes in photographing subjects found in South Texas and Mexico. His subjects range from ancient rustic architecture to dusty valley landscapes. Since purchasing his first camera in the late 1970s, he has spent all of his free time learning as much as possible about the art of photography. Guerra especially enjoys the dramatic effect his photographs achieve when using an infrared Fuji camera. He currently runs a successful photo studio.

South Texas College’s Library Art Gallery Program exhibits regional, national and international artwork, explores new visions and theories of creativity, and introduces innovative artistic expressions to the South Texas region.

For more information contact Haughey at 956-872-3488 or libraryart@southtexascollege.edu, or visit the Library Art Gallery Website.

Sleight of Hand

Library Art Gallery, Previous Exhibits

This exhibit dabbles in the fascinating world of magic tricks and a youthful sense of wonder and awe. This exhibit will be available for viewing through September 2nd, so you have all summer to browse in delight! There’s even a talk with the artist, Paul Valadez! Check it out:

lag-valadez

For more information about these exhibits or the Library Art Gallery contact:

Sofia K. Vestweber

(956) 872-3488

libraryart@southtexascollege.edu

Or visit the Library Art Gallery Website at http://library.southtexascollege.edu/newsevents/libraryartgallery/

 

A South Texas Ceramic Showdown: POTS, Every Piece is a Part of the Solution

Library Art Gallery, Pecan Campus, Previous Exhibits,

Howdy Readers! If you’ve wandered the halls of the Pecan Campus Library this June, you may have noticed our two fantastic new art installations! If you haven’t, come by the second floor and check out these exhibits. They are definitely something different, and it’s free!

One of these exhibits, hosted within the Library Art Gallery, is the Ceramics Showdown, and will only be available for viewing until July 1st:

lag-ceramics2011

For more information about these exhibits or the Library Art Gallery contact:

Sofia K. Vestweber

(956) 872-3488

libraryart@southtexascollege.edu

Or visit the Library Art Gallery at http://library.southtexascollege.edu/newsevents/libraryartgallery/

David Adickes: A World of Splendor

Library Art Gallery, Previous Exhibits

lag-adickes The art exhibit, “David Adickes: A World of Splendor,” will be on display at South Texas College’s Pecan Campus Library Art Gallery from September 16 to December 11, 2010. The exhibit will feature mixed media paintings and giclée prints. On Thursday, September 16, art talks will be held at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. at STC’s Pecan Campus Library Rainbow Room, Bldg F. An opening reception will take place the same evening from 6 to 8 p.m. in STC’s Pecan Campus Library Art Gallery, Bldg. F located at 3201 W. Pecan Blvd. in McAllen. Admission to the exhibition and all events is free and open to the public.

David Adickes is a Houston-based painter and sculptor whose career in the visual arts is now well into its sixth decade. Adickes received a degree in both math and physics from Sam Houston State University. A man of many talents, Adickes also studied art at the Kansas City Art Institute and in Paris, France with the modern French master Fernand Léger. Adickes later taught art at The University of Texas at Austin.

All together, Adickes’s paintings encompass landscapes, stills and figure groups that are primarily composed of geometric shapes and vibrant, bold colors reminiscent of classic French scenes. Many of Adickes’s works are in museum collections, as well as hundreds of corporate and private collections in the U.S. and around the globe. In addition to his paintings, Adickes is also known for his monumental concrete bust sculptures of U.S. Presidents. Today there are two parks adorned with Adickes’s 20 foot sculptures of all forty-three American presidents in South Dakota and Virginia.

In regard to his artistic philosophy, Adickes believes that, “art should be created with purpose and intent that should have a sense of form, and a feeling of permanence.”

“Adickes is steadfast and meticulous throughout his process and the artistic creation of his work,” said Sofia K. Vestweber, STC’s Library Art Gallery associate. “His paintings are powerful and stimulating in nature, bringing the viewer an extraordinary sense of whimsy and splendor.”

STC’s Library Art Gallery Program exhibits regional, national and international artwork, explores new visions and theories of creativity, and introduces innovative artistic expressions to the South Texas region.

For more information contact Sofia K. Vestweber at 956-872-3488 or at libraryart@southtexascollege.edu, or visit the Library Art Gallery Website.