Mexican Calendar Paintings

 

South Texas College, in conjunction with its partner in education Half Spoon, LLC, brings authentic early 20th Century Mexican calendar paintings to the community for viewing. The exhibit includes more than 20 original paintings from well-known Mexican artists Jose Bribiesca, Demetrio, Jesus Helguera, Eduardo Catano and Armando Drechsler just to name a few. Admission is free and open to the public.

The exhibit will travel between three STC campuses to ensure that the communities of Hidalgo and Starr counties have equal opportunities to view this iconic collection. It will be on display at the Pecan Campus in McAllen from Tuesday, Mar. 11 through Friday, Apr. 11; at the Mid-Valley Campus in Weslaco from Thursday, Apr. 17 through Friday, May 16; and at the Starr County Campus in Rio Grande City from Thursday, Apr. 24 through Friday, May 23.

The art depicts a critical period of history in Mexico and highlights the country's exquisite cultural heritage and pride, said Jose Cruz, vice president for information services and planning at STC and executive sponsor of the gallery program. We hope that those who see the exhibit will be able to identify with the spirit of the peoples of Mexico and the Rio Grande Valley, grasping how these portraits truly encompass the spirit of the artists and the peoples they portray in these vibrant early 20th Century scenes.

We also want to extend our sincere appreciation to Half Spoon for their dedication to bringing superior and prolific art collections to the local Rio Grande Valley communities. Their dedication to art education is second to none in the state.

In addition to the displays, a lecture will be given at each campus to help the community understand the historical and cultural significance of the paintings.

The calendar images present not only pictorial references to Mexico's historic past, but bring forth conflicting values and attitudes embodied within their imagery, said Debbie Backal of Half Spoon LLC. This type of artwork has a long and fascinating history and we want to further illuminate viewers about how the pieces celebrate ancient Mexican cultures and traditions with the assistance of social and artistic movements set up by the new, post-revolutionary government.

For more information about the exhibit, lectures and opening receptions at each campus call 872-3598 or visit Half Spoon LLC at http://halfspoon.com/Home_Page.php.