Back in Brownsville

I'm back after having lived across the Valley on my own for about a week. Getting back into the single living lifestyle is like riding a bike and it felt like I was back in my own place in Austin, but I am in my own place in McAllen and I pay less rent and have more space! For the most part it has been good and I also enjoy work so much more now. Yet, it is good to be back home and I got a 4-day Easter Break so I am doubly happy!

Today at work, I also got to meet with some graffiti artists from Hidalgo County about a mural we have on the works that will be unveiled on Earth Day, April 22nd at the soon to be opened Urban Art Bar and Gallery in downtown McAllen right across Cine El Rey on 17th st. It's is going to be an awesome mural and I also enjoyed hearing their opinions on graffiti art vs. tagging and just their view of the whole RGV graffiti scene. It was so interesting to hear what they had to say and I would love for a cultural anthropologist or art historian to get their attention on the topic of RGV graffiti. There is so much potential for positive engagement from these artists, it is just a matter of mobilizing it in that direction.

I am also trying to organize an event at my job with local artists and I am excited to say that I got RGV artists Izel Vargas and Roel Flores on board! They are both great artists and some of the most active names out there in the RGV art scene. I am also working on a program with students from McAllen and Reynosa, which will lead to an exhibition in Casa de la Cultura in Reynosa and in McAllen. I went to Casa de la Cultura recently and got to see one of their alums give a piano concert to a group of school children. He had been a student their since he was five years old and now he is 21 and pretty much on his way to be an international concert pianist. It is just so amazing to hear stories like that.

Amigos Artistas is also organizing an arts fundraiser event on Saturday, April 23rd called "Arte en El Ranchito". The event will allow for artists to set up booths and sell their work at the IBC "El Ranchito" retreat. Amigos Artistas will keep a percentage of their sales to use towards funding more arts events. It is going to be a gorgeous and exciting event and artists will be coming from all over the Valley. If you are interested in participating or know of anyone who might, shoot an email my way.

Well, there is so much going on and I am very excited about many things headed our way in the Valley art wise! Things are mobilizing and more and more people are beginning to take notice. VIVA EL ARTE!