Author Talk

“We Want Better Education!”: The 1960s Chicano Student Movement, School Walkouts and the Quest for Educational Reform in South Texas

Current & Upcoming Events, Current Announcements, Library Announcements, Library Events, Virtual Event

Join us for a special event with author and STC faculty member James B. Barrera. His book We Want Better Education! explores the Chicano Movement in Texas, student activism, and the rise of La Raza Unida Party. Professor Barrera will share a reading and answer questions in a Q&A session.

This talk will be held at Pecan Campus Library in F102 at 6PM on October 7th. Can’t make it in person? Register for the simultaneously online session below!

Event Title: “’We Want Better Education!’: The 1960s Chicano Student Movement, School Walkouts and the Quest for Educational Reform in South Texas”
Speaker: James B. Barrera
Date: Tuesday, October 7th 2025
Time: 6 PM CST
Register here: Link

Family Reading Night at Mid-Valley Campus Library

Current Announcements, Library Announcements, Mid-Valley Campus

Family Reading Night header image with event title

Join us at Mid-Valley Campus for Family Reading Night at the library! This exciting literacy event is free and open to the community. Join us for an exciting night of storytelling, activities, and special appearances by Jerry the Jag, the Storybook Garden, representatives from STC Departments, and many more! Bring the whole family and celebrate the joy of reading with us!

Wednesday, October 22, 2025
5:30PM – 7:00PM

Mid-Valley Campus Library
Building E1.200

Colors We Dream / Colores Que Soñamos

Current & Upcoming Exhibits, Library Art Gallery, Pecan Campus

STC Library Art Gallery to Host Two New Exhibitions Beginning Oct. 1Colors We Dream Banner

Reception: October 1, 2025, from 5 – 7 p.m. at the Pecan Campus Library, Bldg. F

Artist Talk: October 1, 2025, from 10 – 11 a.m. Pecan Student Union, Bldg. U, Room 2.100

The South Texas College Library Art Gallery invites the community to the opening reception of two new exhibitions on Oct. 1 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Pecan Campus Library Art Gallery, Bldg. F, 3201. Pecan Blvd. in McAllen.The exhibitions—”Familiar Horizons” and the thematic community showcase “Colors We Dream / Colores que Soñamos”—will feature work by artist Elena Rodriguez and contributions from STC students, alumni, faculty, staff and local community members.

“Colors We Dream / Colores que Soñamos” centers on the theme of “alebrijes,” fantastical creatures first imagined by Mexican artist Pedro Linares in the 1950s. These vibrant, dreamlike beings combine features of real and mythical animals and are meant to reflect the spirit and imagination of their creators.

The exhibition includes artwork and poetry inspired by this magical realist tradition and will feature a short awards ceremony during the Oct. 1 reception. Prizes will be awarded for first, second and third place. The event is free and open to the public.

Rodriguez’s “Familiar Horizons” explores the beauty in everyday and often overlooked aspects of life.

“My art is an exploration of the beautiful mundane—asphalt, weeds and suburban banality,” Rodriguez said. “I create the sensation of déjà vu for a place one has or never has been.”
A native of Chalk Mountain, Texas, Rodriguez earned her Master of Fine Arts in Painting from the New York Academy of Art. She now teaches in the Department of Art and Drama at Del Mar College and was recently recognized in the “Corpus Christi 40 Under 40” list.

In addition to the evening reception, Rodriguez will give an artist talk earlier the same day, from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Pecan Campus Student Union, Building U, Room 2.100. She will discuss her work, artistic process and creative influences.

For more information, visit https://library.southtexascollege.edu/lag or email gotvos@southtexascollege.edu.

Ruth K Featured Image

Bright Room/Silver Moon: Ruth A. Keitz

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

New Exhibit at STC Transforms Everyday Materials into Art.Bright Room/ Silver Moon Banner

Exhibition opens Oct. 2 at STC Mid-Valley Library Art Gallery | Reception and Artist Talk: Nov. 11, 10 – 11 a.m. 

The South Texas College Mid-Valley Campus Library Art Gallery presents “Bright Room / Silver Moon,” a mixed media exhibit by Ruth A. Keitz, Ph.D., from Oct. 2 through Dec. 1 2025.

An artist talk and reception will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. on Nov. 11 at the Mid-Valley Campus Library Art Gallery, located at 400 N. Border in Weslaco. Admission is free and open to the public.

Keitz’s work explores the transformation of everyday, often discarded materials into imaginative compositions through mixed media collage and construction.

“I enjoy the uncommon and unexpected beauty found in materials that are used for packaging–and usually thrown away after a single use. These materials may be in their pristine manufactured state or aged by the elements of nature or transformed by my hand,” says Keitz.

Ruth Keitz FlyerIn her latest series, Keitz uses materials like envelopes with cellophane windows and security tints to create implied spaces that focus on celestial imagery, particularly the moon. These architectural compositions evoke intimate, imagined environments through innovative layering of textures and mediums.

About the artist
Ruth A. Keitz is a mixed-media artist who reimagines found and discarded materials. She holds a Ph.D. and M.F.A. from the University of Texas at Austin and has taught art across the country, from the Rio Grande to Alaska.

The STC Library Art Gallery curates exhibitions and educational programming to enhance student learning, support academic curriculum and encourage engagement with original works of art and artists.

For more information, visit https://library.southtexascollege.edu/lag.

Refusing to Forget

Refusing to Forget: Seeking Dignity for the Victims of La Matanza

Library Events, Previous Events

Refusing to ForgetThis webinar explores the history and lasting injustice of la matanza (1915), in which hundreds were murdered in South Texas. Join us as we focus on the importance of recognition, record keeping, and public memory.

Join virtually on Zoom Webinar.

Event Title: “Refusing to Forget: Seeking Dignity for the Victims of La Matanza”
Speaker: Trinidad Gonzales
Date: Tuesday, September 16th 2025
Time: 1:30 PM CST
Register here: Link

Elena Rodz: Familiar Horizons

Current & Upcoming Exhibits, Library Art Gallery, Pecan Campus

Artist Talk: Oct. 1, 10 – 11 a.m. | Reception: Oct. 1, 5 – 7 p.m.

 

The South Texas College Pecan Campus Library Art Gallery is excited to showcase “Familiar Horizons,” an exhibition featuring oil paintings by artist Elena “Rodz” Rodriguez from Corpus Christi.

 

Elena Rodriguez grew up in Chalk Mountain, Texas, a small town with a population of 25. She earned her Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Painting from the New York Academy of Art and completed her Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) at Washington University in St. Louis, where she also minored in Film and Media Studies. After spending some time away, she returned to her home state and now works with the Department of Art and Drama at Del Mar College. Recently, she was honored with the “Corpus Christi 40 Under 40” award.

 

Rodriguez’s work examines the beauty found in the everyday and often overlooked aspects of life. As she puts it, “My art is an exploration of the beautiful mundane—asphalt, weeds, and suburban banality. I create the sensation of déjà vu for a place one has or never has been.”

 

Flyer of eventElena Rodz will give an artist talk about her exhibition, experiences, and inspirations on October 1 from 10 to 11 a.m. in the Pecan Student Union, Building U, Room 2.100. Later that evening, a reception for “Familiar Horizons” will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Pecan Campus Library, Building F. The reception will coincide with the community exhibition “Colors We Dream: A Call for ‘Alebrije’-themed Artwork.”

 

“Familiar Horizons” will be on display from August 25 through December 1 at the STC Pecan Campus Library Art Gallery, located in Building F at 3201 Pecan Blvd., McAllen, TX. The exhibition and the artist talk are free and open to the public.

 

The South Texas College Library Art Gallery Program organizes exhibitions and educational events to deepen students’ understanding of art and its cultural significance, support the academic curriculum, and inspire lifelong learning through direct engagement with artists, scholars, and original works of art.

 

For more information visit https://library.southtexascollege.edu or email gotvos@southtexascollege.edu.

STC Alumni Exhibit Series

Current & Upcoming Exhibits, Library Art Gallery, Technology Campus

The STC Alumni Exhibit Series returns to the Technology Campus with three former art students.

The South Texas College Technology Campus Library Art Gallery is pleased to announce the annual STC Alumni Series. This exhibition features paintings by former students Elijah Dueñas, Irma Garza Garcia, and Michelle Ramirez. This showcase highlights the transformative power of artist mentorship, with students beginning their studies under STC Art Instructor Luis Corpus and continuing their journey with UTRGV’s Painting Instructor Rigoberto Gonzalez. 

Join us for a reception celebrating the artwork of these graduates on October 21 from 3 to 4 p.m. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn from former students about their experiences at STC and the opportunities available in the art curriculum. 

The exhibit will be on view from August 25 to December 1, 2025, at the STC Technology Campus Library located at 3700 W. Military Hwy, Bldg. A-179, in McAllen, TX. Admission is free and open to the public. 

About the artists: 

Elijah Dueñas began his college journey as a computer science major at STC in 2018 but later decided to switch to fine arts, embarking on a three-year path of artistic growth and improvement. His classes with STC Art Instructor Luis Corpus taught him the fundamentals of drawing forms and shapes accurately, as well as the techniques of painting. When he transferred to UTRGV in 2022, he studied under Rigoberto Gonzalez, who emphasized human anatomy and helped refine his skills over the following two years. “The classes were initially tough and challenging, but thanks to the guidance of my art instructors at STC and UTRGV, they ignited my love for human portrait art. I will always remember them; every time I draw, I reflect on how they helped me establish my place in the world of art,” said Elijah. 

Irma Garza Garcia is a dedicated returning student, wife, and proud mother of two young adults. She began her academic journey at South Texas College in 1999 at the Starr County campus and returned nearly 20 years later to earn an associate’s degree in visual arts. Her educational experience has been both challenging and rewarding. Irma credits her STC professors for their patience and dedication, which have helped her gain a deeper understanding of the diverse perspectives in drawing and painting. Currently attending the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV), she expects to graduate in Fall 2026. Irma encourages others to pursue their goals, stating, “It is never too late to start or resume a postponed goal. The best age for a person is always the present.” 

Michelle Ramirez is an oil painter who started developing her skills in high school. She enrolled at South Texas College (STC) in 2022, but it wasn’t until her final semester that she took a painting course with Art Instructor Luis Corpus, which reignited her passion for oil painting. “I never wanted to miss a single session. It provided me with the space to create, learn, and evolve as an artist, and I’m deeply grateful for that experience,” she shares. Now, Michelle is in her second semester at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV), where she is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree with a teaching certification, expecting to graduate in 2027. She earned her Associate of Arts in Teaching from STC in 2024. 

STC’s Library Art Gallery Program organizes exhibitions and educational programs to enhance students’ understanding of art, support the curriculum, and inspire continued education through engagement with artists and original works. 

For more information, please email gotvos@southtexascollege.edu or visit https://library.southtexascollege.edu/LAG.