Tercera Cultura Press Release

For Immediate Release:
January 3, 2005
 
Contact:   Mayra Cruz
Tercera Cultura Program Coordinator
Narciso Martinez Cultural Arts Center
(956) 361-0110
Email: contact@mayracruz.net

NMCAC Launches “Tercera Cultura” Art Education Program

SAN BENITO, TX - The Narciso Martinez Cultural Arts Center announces a new visual arts education program entitled “Tercera Cultura.”   This program was created to provide Rio Grande Valley high school art students with an opportunity to participate in an intensive studio art course and to provide meaningful exposure to the Rio Grande Valley art and cultural community.

The program will run on an eight-week course from January 8th - February 26th and classes will be held each Saturday at the center in San Benito from 10am to 5pm .  The program course will include lessons on Rio Grande Valley heritage, a photography expedition, special quest speakers and six intensive studios in drawing and painting.  Sixteen students from San Benito High School , Harlingen High School and Lopez High School in Brownsville have been accepted into the program through a selective application process. The program will culminate in a student art exhibition to be held at the center on Sunday, February 27th that will feature the artwork by the students produced during their course of study at the center.

The concept of a third culture refers to the culture that is created when two mainstream cultures merge. The premise of the Tercera Cultura program is a fundamental belief that the Rio Grande Valley ’s heritage and history is a wellspring of artistic inspiration.  “We envision this program will promote awareness about the Rio Grande Valley’s cultural identity among high school art students, a third culture in constant evolution through the dialogue between Mexico and the United States,” says Mayra Cruz, program co-creator and director.

The Tercera Cultura Program is an extension of “Fronteras Cruzadas,” an arts outreach program implemented by Mayra Cruz and Frank Diaz in Brownsville in the Spring of 2004.   Supported by the College of Fine Arts of the University of Texas at Austin , “Fronteras Cruzadas” served 15 high school art students in Brownsville .  Due to its success, the Narciso Martinez Cultural Arts Center has adopted the program.  “This is a very important program for local art students,” says Cristina Ballí, NMCAC director.  “Currently there are few opportunities for Rio Grande Valley students to enhance their art skills outside of regular school instruction, and few opportunities to exhibit their work.  The Tercera Cultura program will provide them with added instruction and solid experience to use in college applications.”

The Narciso Martinez Cultural Arts Center is an organization dedicated to the preservation, promotion and development of the rich cultural and historical heritage of the frontera community.  This heritage includes the visual arts, music, theatre, dance and literary works.  NMCAC is located at 225 E. Stenger Street in San Benito .  For information, interviews and inquiries concerning the Tercera Cultura program contact Mayra Cruz at (956) 361-0110. 

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Narciso Martinez Cultural Arts Center
P.O. Box 471
225 Stenger Street
San Benito, Texas 78586
(956) 361-0110