Vibrant portrayals of traditional Hispanic life now hang from the walls of the new Tejano Civil Rights Museum and Resource Center in Heritage Park, Corpus Christi. As the inaugural art exhibit for the new museum, the work of Mexican-American artist Rosendo Sandoval is a "perfect representation" of the type of art the museum will showcase, said curator William Castillo.
Sandoval's most recent work highlights his Hispanic and Mexicano heritage, both historical and cultural. His paintings are done in a semi-realistic, romantic style that emphasizes use of composition, color and contrast.
"I look to my Mexican and Mexican-American culture for inspiration," Sandoval told Corpus Christi Business News at a recent reception for the artist at the museum. "I am very honored to be chosen as the first artist to have a showing at the museum. To have this type of environment to show my pieces, I feel very honored."
The Tejano Civil Rights Museum and Resource Center opened in May in what the administrators call its soft opening phase. The grand opening is set for September in honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month, which is September 15-October 15.
Texas A&M University-Kingsville partnered with the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) Council No. 1 in Corpus Christi to create the museum as a way to illustrate the region’s rich history of the Hispanic civil rights movement and the Tejano and Mexican-American culture of South Texas.
Located at the Grande-Grossman House in Corpus Christi’s Heritage Park, the museum, “will keep our culture alive by introducing it back into the community," said Dr. Nick Adame, president of LULAC Council No. 1. "This will be here for the next generations."
The Sandoval collection will be on display through July 24. The exhibit room and museum are an extension of the Ben Bailey Art Gallery on the campus of Texas A&M University-Kingsville.
Upcoming shows include:
August 1-30
Featured Artists: Benjamin Varela & Anna Marie Sanchez (Husband and Wife)
Artists Reception: August 23, 4-7 p.m
Artist Talk: 4:45 p.m.
Both artists are painters. Benjamin uses the painting style known as pointillism. His images and themes revolve around scene and dream sequences. Anna Marie uses traditional Mexican-American folklore imagery found in Mexican family home settings
September 1-30
Featured Artist: Julian R. Rodriquez
Artist Reception: September 20, 4-7 p.m.
Artist Talk: 4:45 p.m.
Rodriguez is a Ceramic Sculpture and Functional Pottery artist. He is originally from Mission, Texas, and is a full professor at the University of Texas-Brownsville, in the art department. His work has been featured prominently throughout the Rio Grande Valley.
The Tejano Civil Rights Museum & Resource Center is currently open to the public with free admission on weekends. Hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, and 1-6 p.m. Sunday. The museum is available for private events. For more information call 210-336-8611.
