THE VICTORious LIFE: Works on Paper by Victor Alvarez
Exhibition Reception and Book Signing Please contact rfbrown@southtexascollege.edu At age 19, Victor Alvarez of McAllen, Texas, is an accomplished artist. He is also a poet, a newspaper columnist, and a Bill Gates Millennium Scholar at the University of Texas, Pan American. Victor’s inspirational story has been told in VICTORious Life, written by his friend and caregiver—Elizabeth Jamsa Gearhart. The book also includes examples of Victor’s art, poetry and essays, as well as several of local artist and caregiver Mary Cloud’s journal entries and two of her works inspired by Victor. Please join us Thursday, Sept. 7 to meet Victor, his family, and celebrate his VICTORious Life. The exhibit features fourteen pieces of Victor’s art and will be on display at the STC Resource Center from September 5th to the 22nd. Artworks include the autobiographical “Dreamscape,” and “Reflections,” a mixed media piece which won a state medal in this year’s Visual Arts Scholastic Event. Although Victor is looking forward to establishing a career as a computer animator, his future has not always been rosy. Ten years ago, he was admitted to Comfort House (a hospice-type home in McAllen) to spend his final days. Victor has a serious medical condition called Spinal Muscular Atrophy. He cannot walk, sit up or even lift his head without assistance. For 6 ½ years he lived with the terminally ill at Comfort House. The unique experience of living with the dying has been a profound influence on his art and his life. Many of the 500 or so residents who passed through Comfort House during those years shared their life stories and bits of wisdom with the youngster in their midst. Victor was first exposed to the ABC’s at age nine. He quickly discovered a love of learning. Three years later he began fifth grade, and the following year he continued on to Middle School, then completed four successful years at McAllen High School in May of 2006. Along the way, Victor gained a new family who took responsibility for his care. He began writing poetry and was inducted into the National Honor Society. As a senior, he was selected to write a student column “Victor’s Voice” for The Monitor—McAllen’s daily newspaper. In 2004, Victor was the first ever wheelchair-bound student selected to attend the prestigious Lorenzo de Zavala Youth Legislative Session sponsored by the National Hispanic Institute and held annually at Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas, where he was elected Governor. His artwork has also garnered him awards and exhibitions. |
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Last Updated June 20, 2007