Category Archives: Pecan Campus

Sequence in Print

STC Library Art Gallery showcases printmaking artists in the community.

South Texas College Library Art Gallery presents “Sequence in Print,” an exhibition showcasing two RGV-based printmaking instructors, Eduardo Garcia from South Texas College and Jesse Burciaga, an instructor at UTRGV Brownsville. The exhibit on the first floor also features an array of artwork with different printmaking techniques from community members who participated in the “Creatures of the Night” call for artwork inspired by fright and folklore. 

The exhibit’s opening reception will be held on Oct. 12, 2022, from 4 – 6 p.m. at the Pecan Campus Library Art Gallery.Sequence in Print” is at the STC Pecan Campus Library Art Gallery, Bldg. F, 3201 W Pecan Blvd. in McAllen, TX

Artist, Eduardo Garcia received his MFA from the University of North Texas and joined STC in 1997. “Printmaking allows for the creation of multiples from one matrix. I feel that this aspect makes printmaking the most democratic art form since prints can be shared with many,” said Garcia. 

Jesse Burciaga received his MFA from the University of Texas-San Antonio. He got his artistic beginning by making artwork of the people in his community and now teaches students at UTRGV. Burciaga says his artwork reflects his self-described fronteño culture (living on both sides of the Mexican American border).

Along with this exhibition, printmaking workshops will take place every second Wednesday of the month from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. with Eduardo Garcia, Jessie Burciaga, Melissa Terry, and Chris Leonard. The workshops will highlight the artists’ processes and methods. The exhibition and workshops are free and open to the public.

Sept. 14 – Screen print on Clay with Melissa Terry and Chris Leonard
Room B. 115 Ceramic Studio

Oct. 12 – Collagraph Printing with Eduardo Garcia
Room B. 101 Printmaking Studio

Nov. 9 – Monoprint with Jessie Burciaga
Room B. 101 Printmaking Studio

The exhibition will open Sept. 19 and run through Dec. 2, 2022.

Can’t join us in person? Register for the broadcast at 11:30 a.m via Zoom webinar here:
https://southtexascollege.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_48YaSkhiRPGJLbBeoocA1Q

The South Texas College Library Art Gallery Program organizes exhibitions and programs to engage student 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 the library at (956) 872-3488, gotvos@southtexascollege.edu, or visit https://library.southtexascollege.edu/libraryart.

 To view Eduardo’s and Jessie’s workshops, watch here:

Stories from the Front

Colonel Lisa Carrington Firmin: Stories from the Front

Stories from the Front

Author Colonel Lisa Carrington Firmin

Author Colonel Lisa Carrington Firmin

In her newest book, Bronze Star-decorated combat commander Colonel Lisa Carrington Firmin outlines her experiences and those of 13 other brave women and men affected by Military Sexual Trauma. Join us for a frank discussion about the invisible wounds left behind by assault, trauma, hardship, and combat. Copies of Stories from the Front: Pain, Betrayal, and Resilience on the MST Battlefield will be available for purchase and signing.

Event Title: “Colonel Lisa Carrington Firmin: Stories from the Front”
Speaker: Colonel Lisa Carrington Firmin
Date: Wednesday October 19th, 2022

1PM in the Technology Campus Auditorium

6PM in the Pecan Campus Student Union Building

Cover of Stories from the Front: Pain, Betrayal, And Resilience On The MST Battlefield

After serving 30 years in the Air Force, and as its most senior-ranking Latina officer upon retirement, Colonel Carrington Firmin was horrified by the appalling murder of a fellow Latina, Army Specialist Vanessa Guillén, in April 2020. Vanessa’s horrific death became the catalyst for repressed memories of the colonel’s own sexual assault during initial training and the repeated sexual harassment she endured early in her career and catapulted her on a soul-searching journey to document others’ experiences and to advocate for change within the armed services. Her poem “Into the Light,” featured in Stories from the Front, captures her feelings and recounts how she came to end her silence on the negative aspects of her military career. The colonel is proud of her service and the strong bonds she had with so many military professionals, but acknowledges that now is the time to share the full reality of all that she experienced and endured.

Stories from the Front is published by Blue Ear Books on April 22, 2022, to commemorate the second anniversary of Vanessa Guillén’s murder.

Blue Ear Books official website

South Texas College gears up for its 14th Annual Ceramics Conference

Exhibit extended until August 19 and moved to the Pecan Library Art Gallery.

South Texas College kicks off its 14th Annual South Texas Ceramic Showdown, “The Future is Fluid. Is Function Fixed?” with two days of demonstrations, art talks, a reception, and a month-long exhibit for the community.

The exhibit will be on view from June 6 to July 1, 2022, at the STC Pecan Campus Art Gallery. The gallery and ceramic studio are located at 3201 West Pecan Blvd., Building B in McAllen.

Schedule for the event is as follows:

Thursday, June 16, 2022—
9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Clay Demonstrations at STC’s Ceramic Studio, B115
6 p.m. – 7 p.m. Art Talk with Carla Hughes & Julian Rodriguez, STC Building B Gallery
6 p.m. – 8 p.m. Exhibition Reception at STC Building B Gallery 

Friday, June 17, 2022—
9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Clay Demonstrations at Ceramic Studio, B 115

The event will include a full display of ceramic work by esteemed local ceramicists Carla Hughes and Julian Rodriguez as well as ceramic work from nine universities and community colleges across the U.S. as well as ceramic work by STC and UTRGV students.

“We are excited to get the Ceramic Showdown up and running again…and a little nervous, too. It’s a bit like opening a kiln after some time off with the waiting and anticipation and patience and that repeating question: “What are we going to see,” said Chris Leonard, STC Ceramics Instructor and Ceramic Showdown Organizer. “What you put in isn’t always what you get out, and life and ceramics can be hard. But there are plenty of repeat customers of schools from in and outside of Texas sending student and faculty work. Texas A&M Kingsville drove their work down the first chance they had.”

The South Texas College Library Art Gallery Program organizes exhibitions and programs to engage students’ 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.

Participating institutions in the collaborative ceramic constructions include Clarion University of Pennsylvania, Lawrence University, Southeast Missouri State University, Texas A&M University – Kingsville, The University Of Texas – Rio Grande Valley, The University Of Texas – San Antonio, Mesa Community College, South Texas College, Tarrant County College.

“Our presenters, Carla Hughes, and Julian Rodriguez, are local heroes who have valuable experience to share,” Leonard said. “We here at STC should be receptive. We have had a very good year in the studio and have put together three-wall installations where folks had the chance to collaborate and work as a team with some independent freedom, too, in creating component parts. I hope we can generate a real, local buzz.”

About the artists:
Carla Hughes is a studio potter and sculptor living and working in Harlingen, Texas. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 2013 from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. She currently runs a studio and gallery in Downtown Harlingen where she creates original works, teaches workshops, and hosts regional artists.

Julian Rodriguez is a native of South Texas and has been a ceramist for decades. He received a B.A. from St. Edward’s University in 1994 and an MFA focusing on ceramics and sculpture from The University of Texas-Pan American in 2007. He is now a lecturer with the Department of Visual Arts at the University of Texas at Brownsville.

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

To view the artist’s talks, watch here:

Images of the ceramic pieces by Carla Hughes, Wall Sun #3 (left) & Julian Rodriguez, El Santo (right).

Inside the Artists Studio

Virtual Workshop Banner

The STC Library presents a series of five virtual art workshops.

The South Texas College Library Art Gallery presents a virtual art workshop series “Inside the Artist Studio” every second Wednesday of the month beginning in February at 1 p.m.

At every session, a different artist will lead participants in an hour-long workshop teaching specific visual art skills like figure drawing, collaging, and visually interpreting written poems.

Each workshop will broadcast from inside each artist’s home studios giving us a glimpse into their work, inspiration, media, and path it has taken to become the artists they are.

Artists featured within this series are Divine Agbeko, Jaden D. Blango, Aimaloghi Eromosele, and Marcelina Gonzales.

Artists Jason Valdez and Josue Ramirez will give virtual presentations about their exhibits at the STC Technology and Mid-Valley Campus Libraries. All events are free and open to the public.

This series is scheduled on Wednesdays at 1 p.m. via Zoom.

Feb. 9 – Figure Drawing with Jaden Blango
Feb. 16 – “Time and a Half” with Jason Valdez
March 2 – “Who’s the Bandit” with Josue Ramirez
March 9 – Resin Collage with Marcelina Gonzales
April 13 – Visual Poetry with Aimaloghi Eromosele and Divine Agbeko

For more information, contact (956) 872-3488, gotvos@southtexascollege.edu, or visit library.southtexascollege.edu/lag.

STC’s Library Art Gallery Program organizes exhibitions and educational programs to engage student 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.

To view each of the artist’s talks, watch here:




STC Library Virtual Art Workshops

Observation Landscape Featured

Natural Environment Exhibit & Workshop

The STC Library Art Gallery investigates the natural landscape in a three-part exhibition and workshopExhibit Banner
Brittney Luna & Jessica Monroe will present a mural and painting workshop on October 27, 2021, from 1:00 to 3:00 PM. 

The South Texas College Library Art Gallery investigates the natural environment with a three-part exhibition featuring naturalist Jessica Monroe, muralist Brittney Luna, and community members who created artwork from recycled materials. On October 27, two virtual workshops will feature Jessica Monroe, leading a painting workshop on mark-making and meditation in nature painting, and Brittney Luna, discussing multiple angles of mural-making –the business aspect and the techniques. The exhibition and workshops are free and open to the public.

When: October 27, 2021, 01:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)
Topic: Observation Landscape: Painting Workshops with Jessica Monroe and Brittney Luna.
Attendees must register in advance: https://southtexascollege.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_u1xy1PE3SR6_y32_zXqoSQ

To participate or for more information about the call for recycled art, open through September 27th, please visit: https://library.southtexascollege.edu/callforart.

South Texas College Library Art Gallery thanks community members/artists for their participation in this exhibit. Artists featured within this exhibition are Caleb Peña, Mariana Prado, Pat Cooper, Elizabeth Hollenback, Leila Hernandez, Kathy Bussert-Webb, Abigail Saldaña, Alexic Ramos, Jay Huber, Ede Liliana, Catherine Dominguez Nava, Gina Palacios, Clarissa Sifuentes, Corina Garcia, and Kristen Sanchez.

The South Texas College Library Art Gallery Program organizes exhibitions and programs to engage student 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.

Observation Landscape Flier

Fall Festival 2021

Fall Festival At Your Campus Libraries!

A hot air balloon floats in the sky.Join us the week of September 20th-23rd for our Fall Festival: Around the Library in 80 Days! Each campus library will be celebrating the start of the Fall semester, and we want you to come by for fun, information, and prizes!

Show up, get your ticket, visit the stations, and get your prize. It’s that easy!

Each event will be held from 11AM to 1PM. See below for the days each campus will be participating!

Continue reading

Atrium A

Library’s Art Collection in Atrium Gallery

South Texas College Library Permanent Art Collection transforms Bldg. A Atrium with new exhibit.Food truck in the darkSouth Texas College’s Library Art Gallery and the Office of Public Relations and Marketing present twenty-seven works of art from the college’s Permanent Art Collection in the Pecan Campus Building A Atrium.

Curated by STC’s Coordinator of Community Relations, Francisco Perez, this collection includes paintings, printmaking pieces, ceramics, photography, and sculptures and thematically highlights local customs, arts, cuisine, architecture, and people. Those featured in the exhibit are Olga Alanis, Richard Armendariz, Carl Block, Manuel Chapa, Luis Corpus, Trace Davis, Jenelle Esparza, Philip Field, Tina Fuentes, Carmen Lomas Garza, Juan A. Lozano Garza, Conrado Gonzalez, Rigoberto Gonzalez, Roel Guerra, Benjie Heu, Dr. Hideo Mabuchi, Imanol Miranda, Joe Peña, Socorro Rico, Anthony Rivera, Rosendo Sandoval, and Benjamin Varela.

Bldg A Informational Labels

Visitors can find the STC Pecan Campus Building A Atrium at 3201 W Pecan Blvd in McAllen. Admission is free and open to the public.

STC’s Library Art Gallery Program organizes exhibitions and educational programs to engage student 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, email gotvos@southtexascollege.edu or visit library.southtexascollege.edu/lag.

Recycled Artwork Image

South Texas College is accepting artwork made from recycled materials in new nature exhibit.

Recycled Artwork Banner
Deadline to send artwork is September 27th at 5:00 p.m. to the STC Pecan Campus Library.

South Texas College’s Library Art Gallery asks students, faculty, staff, and the public to send artwork made from recycled materials for an upcoming exhibit about nature. The exhibition will feature two local nature artists, Brittney Luna and Jessica Monroe, plus entries from the community. The deadline to enter the exhibit is September 27, 2021, and artwork must be made from items that would have otherwise end up in a landfill or recycling center. The exhibit will be at the Pecan Campus Library Art Gallery, second floor, from October 1 through December 10, 2021. The exhibition is free and open to the public.

On October 27, there will be two virtual painting workshops from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.

The South Texas College Library Art Gallery Program organizes exhibitions and programs to engage student 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.

Involution

Involution: A Science & Art Collaborative Exhibit

The STC Library Art Gallery investigates art and science in a new ceramics and mixed-media exhibit.
Involution Banner

 The art exhibit “Involution: A Science & Art Collaboration” currently encompasses both floors of the STC’s library at its Pecan Campus featuring the work of ceramicist and Professor of Applied Physics at Stanford, Dr. Hideo Mabuchi (above) as well as artwork and scientific explorations by STC faculty, students, and the general public. Dr. Mabuchi will discuss his artistic practice and the science behind his ceramics on Tuesday, May 4 at 3 p.m.  

South Texas College Library Art Gallery continues its monthly spring semester series, “Parallels,” which highlights the connections between seemingly unconnected disciplines. “Involution: A Science & Art Collaboration” encompasses both floors of the library with ceramicist and Stanford Professor of Applied Physics, Dr. Hideo Mabuchi on the second floor, as well as artwork and scientific explorations by STC Faculty, Students, and the general public. The exhibit will be on view through July 30th at the STC Pecan Campus Library Art Gallery located at 3201 W. Pecan Blvd, Bldg. F in McAllen, Texas.

On Tuesday, May 4th at 3 PM, Dr. Hideo Mabuchi will discuss his artistic practice and the science behind his ceramics. STC Science and Art Department Faculty presentations will follow by Dr. Ravindra Nandigam, STC Physics & Engineering Chair; Chris Leonard, M.F.A., STC Art & Ceramics Instructor; Dr. Enriqueta Cortez, STC Chemistry Chair; and Dr. Maria Cervantes, STC Biology Chair. The event will be live and is free and open to the public with registration.

Hideo Mabuchi earned a Ph.D. in Physics from the California Institute of Technology and an A.B. in Physics from Princeton University. Mabuchi teaches and conducts research as a Professor of Applied Physics at Stanford University where he has developed courses that integrate art and science. Mabuchi has previously been named MacArthur Fellow in recognition of the creativity of his scientific work.

About his work, Mabuchi says, “My vessels’ surfaces show a range of hues representative of wood firing without applied glazes, which are produced by intricate microscopic behaviors of iron, oxygen, and silicon as clay cools in the kiln at the end of a firing.  With our eyes, we see flashes of color but with microscopes, we may glimpse dramatic histories of crystallization.  With increasing magnification, we find landscapes within landscapes.

Hideo Mabuchi

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

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

To view Hideo’s art talk, watch here:

Involution Poster