South Texas College Library explores natural and urban environments through photography

Photography by Hector Astorga and Conrado Gonzalez

August 29 – October 15, 2016 [Starr Co. Library]

Art Talk: September 28, 1:00-2:00 PM [Starr Co. Library]

October 20 – December 1, 2016 [Pecan Library]

Art Talk: October 26, 1:30-2:30 PM Pecan Library

Reception: October 26, 5:00-7:00 PM Pecan Library

The South Texas College Library Art Gallery will host a photography exhibit entitled “Line of Sight” with two professional photographers, Conrado Gonzalez and Hector Astorga. The exhibit serves to explore two artists with disparate points of view and their connection through photography and a specific region. Astorga explores the medium in the natural landscape while Gonzalez photographs humans and their interaction with the urban environment. The exhibit will be on view August 29 – October 15, 2016, at STC’s Starr Co. Campus and Oct. 26 – Dec. 1, 2016, at STC’s Pecan Campus. Hector Astorga will give a talk about his work on Sept. 28, at 1p.m., at the Starr Co. Library and again on Oct. 26 at 1:20 p.m. at the Pecan Campus Library. Conrado Gonzalez will also give a talk Oct. 26 at 5-6 p.m. at STC’s Pecan Library in McAllen where light refreshments will be provided. The STC Starr Co. Campus Library is located at 142 FM 3167, Bldg. F in Rio Grande City and the STC Pecan Campus Library is located at 3201 West Pecan Blvd., Bldg. F in McAllen. All exhibitions and talks are free and open to the public.

Hector Astorga is a professional nature photographer and guide at Santa Clara Ranch in South Texas. Growing up in Honduras, Astorga was exposed to the rich biodiversity of a vast number of rare birds and mammals in a region that bridges two continents’ migratory paths. Working since 2008 as a professional photographer, Astorga has received national attention with Natures Best Photography, which is an exhibit that culminates at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C. He also received first place in the National Wildlife Federation photo contest, in the “Connecting People with Nature” category, and continues to dazzle and win top prizes from Texas contests and conservation organizations.

Conrado Gonzalez is a photographer based in Brownsville, Texas, who received a Bachelor of Arts in Latin American Studies from the University of Texas-Austin and a Master’s Degree in Educational Technology from the University of Texas at Brownsville. Of photography, he says, “Light is king in photography, but without the emotional, story-telling aspect of a picture, even light tends to become devoid of any interest.” Gonzalez is an educator for the Brownsville Independent School District.

“Astorga and Gonzalez both have a very keen eye on the world,” explains Gina Otvos, STC Library Art Gallery Associate. “Highly meticulous and methodical, they pursue a style and way of thinking about art that make us feel as if we were behind the camera ourselves—in the Honduran rainforest or historic, downtown Brownsville.”

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 gotvos@southtexascollege.edu or
(956) 872-3488. For a complete listing of events visit: http://library.southtexascollege.edu/LibraryArt.

Images: (Left) Hector Astorga,Juvenile Margay, Rio Santiago Nature Preserve (Honduran Rainforest), Photograph from a Nikon digital SLR body, 2016. (Right) Conrado Gonzalez, Beach Scene #1, Photograph from 35 mm black and white film, 2014.