STC Starr County Campus Library Art Gallery to Feature Local Librarian Artist

Starr County Campus
November 6 – December 12, 2008

“Untitled”, Oil on Canvas, by Gary Don Ford.

South Texas College’s Starr County Campus Library Art Gallery is proud to present “Basically Native”, an exhibition featuring artworks by Gary Don Ford. As part of STC Library Art Galleries’ “Highlighting Local Artist Series”, Gary Don Ford’s exhibit includes watercolor and oil on canvas paintings, graphite on paper drawings, photography and mixed media works all inspired by a Native American theme. The exhibit opens Thursday, November 6th with a reception from 11:30am-12:30pm in the Library Art Gallery. The exhibit will be on display through Friday, Dec. 12 at the Starr County Campus Library Art Gallery located at 142 FM 3167, Rio Grande City, TX 78582. Admission is free and open to the public.

In regards to his artwork Ford says, “much of my inspiration draws upon my Native American experiences”. “I am Shawnee/Creek and have lived and worked on the Navajo Reservation in Arizona and New Mexico, and have also worked at Taos Pueblo, in northern New Mexico”.

Gary Don Ford grew up in Denver City, Texas, a small oil field town, near Hobbs, New Mexico.  He always had an interest in art and began oil painting lessons in the 8th grade.  He later worked with various mediums such as pencil, watercolor, oil pastel, and photography.  Ford studied digital enhancement and photography in Bangkok, Thailand, in the home of a member of the Afghan Royal family, and photography and print development at the Instituto Allende, in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, and Taos, New Mexico.  He also studied with Ted Seth Jacobs (of the Art Student League), in France.  Ford also served as Artist in Residence, at Kaloni Pahoa, on the Big Island of Hawaii. While photographing models for his artwork, Ford developed a passion for the medium, and in recent years, has spent much of his time doing photography.

Ford has served as a Librarian for South Texas College, since 2005, at the Starr County Campus. He holds a B.M.Ed. degree from Evangel University, in Springfield, Missouri, and an M.S. degree from the School of Library and Information Services, at the University of North Texas.  Ford’s work has been exhibited in New Mexico, Texas, and Oklahoma, and he has taken over 30 awards in numerous shows. He now resides in Rio Grande City, TX.

“We are thrilled to be exhibiting the artwork of one of our very own STC staff members”, said Sofia K. Perez, STC Library Art Gallery Assistant. “Our “Highlighting Local Artist Series” allows us to emphasize and showcase the artwork of talented individuals living in the Rio Grande Valley”.

The South Texas College Library Art Gallery program 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 call 872-3488, email libraryart@southtexascollege.edu or visit  www.southtexascollege.edu/libraryart.