A Most Recent Loss in our Community

JUAN RAMIREZ GARCIA

Juan Ramirez Garcia, known as a beloved father, teacher, and ardent supporter of the arts, passed away on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2006, at the age of 61.

He is survived by his father Jesus Garcia, Sr., of Kingsville, Texas, his daughter Nora Michelle (Miki) Garcia of Santa Barbara, Calif., his son, John Michael Garcia of Brownsville, his sisters and brother, Mary (Don) Nicholas, Jesus (Sylvia) Garcia, Jr., Elena (Eliseo) Comino Cuellar, all of Kingsville, Texas and Margarita (Baldomero) Alvarado of Mathis, Texas. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

Mr. Garcia, originally from Kingsville, Texas, graduated with a Master’s Degree in Art with a Minor in Education in 1977 and later received a Professional Life Principal Certificate in 1980. He served in the U.S. Army from 1970-1971.

Most recently, Mr. Garcia served as the Specialist for Fine Arts for the Brownsville Independent School District since 1992. Previous to that Mr. Garcia touched many students’ lives through his 23-year teaching career at elementary, middle school and high school levels, particularly as the Department Head of Art at Pace High School. Since 1984, Mr. Garcia had been a respected Instructor of Art Education at the University of Texas, Brownsville.

Locally, as well as nationally, Mr. Garcia was a passionate advocate of arts education in public schools. He was an active member of the National and Texas Art Education Association as the Regional Representative, garnering numerous honors such as Outstanding Art Educator/Supervision (1997). He was a member, juror, panel member, and/or advisor to the Rio Art Association, Texas Educational Theater Association, Association of Texas Professional Educators, Texas Education Agency for Assignment to the Fine Arts Essential Knowledge and Skills Clarification Team, and Texas Commission on the Arts Education Advisory Panel, among others.

Here in Brownsville, Mr. Garcia was actively involved in the Brownsville Art League, Brownsville Childrens’ Museum, Odyssey of the Mind, Destination Imagination, and a valued Board Trustee of Amigos Artistas, the non-profit arts organization which promotes the visual arts (with an emphasis on Latino and Latin American art) and involves youth in artistic endeavors.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Amigos Artistas at 1424 W. Price Road, No. 227, Brownsville, TX, 78520 (info@amigosartistas.org).

See the BISD Memorial Page by clicking here.

Art Education and You

El Taller de Frida
Originally uploaded by artofbrownsville.

On November 1st, I went to a Day of the Dead art exhibit opening by El Taller de Frida, a Matamoros and Brownsville based art school for young children. I was so outstanded by the creativity and the overall work by these young artists who painted skeletons in scenes or portraits of significance to the child. For example, some skeletons were portrayed as ballerinas, princesses, and baseball players. In the picture, you will see El Taller de Frida art student Beatriz Rodriguez standing next to her painting with a skeleton painting in a garden, a scene that references a special family memory. The exhibit was also well excecuted and impressively displayed and I was so happy for the children who received an opportunity to be recognized for their talent and work by their family, friends and the public.

The exhibit was a great experience, yet my favorite thing about the exhibit was the that I took my niece and nephew with me. Albeit, they are at the young ages of almost-two and four, I wanted to take them with me to begin exposing them to art. It's never too early to expose your children to the arts and even better, to encourage them to participate, be it in the visual or performing arts. Overall my niece and nephew had a good time and we also had an opportunity to play in the museum and spend quality time together.

This may not be on the minds of all parents or families, but making art an intregal part of a child's life will set an valuable impression on their development. Here are some facts about art education as provided by Americans for the Arts:

Did You Know?

Young people who participate in the arts for at least three hours on three days each week through at least one full year are:

4 times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement
3 times more likely to be elected to class office within their schools
4 times more likely to participate in a math and science fair
3 times more likely to win an award for school attendance
4 times more likely to win an award for writing an essay or poem

Young artists, as compared with their peers, are likely to:

Attend music, art, and dance classes nearly three times as frequently
Participate in youth groups nearly four times as frequently
Read for pleasure nearly twice as often
Perform community service more than four times as often

Still not convinced? Take a look at these Art, Ask for More Campaign ads:
Ad #1, Ad #2, Ad #3, Ad #4(español)

I am also happy with the attention and support Art Education has been receiving in our community. Such as The Herald's recent coverage of the UTB/TSC student art show and of the St. Mary's and Stillman Middle School students who won at state-level art competitions. At the Brownsville Museum of Art you will also find a gallery soley dedicated to exhibiting children's art. There are also more art classes available to children through the museum or through schools like El Taller de Frida and other private and home-based teaching initiatives. We can also count on our public and private school art teachers to bring art education to our children in school, if not in the classroom, then by displays in the hallways and after-school art clubs.

Yet like all things of value, their appreciation begins at home and most importantly with you. What are you doing to bring art to the children in your life? Art is more than just extra-curricular or extra "fun" activities. A society that makes art an intregal part of their way of life makes for a much richer culture. Same goes for people. People who make room for art in their life most likely are more well-rounded individuals with open minds to the world around them. Many children in Brownsville do not have opportunities to travel outside the Valley or visit museums very often. By bringing art into their lives, you bring the world to them, a way to express their individuality and to grow confidence. So next time you hear about an art exhibit, a play, a musical event or any cultural event, take the kids. You won't regret it and your children will greatly benefit from it.

Matamoros Artist Mario Jimenez Diaz

Artist Mario Diaz
Originally uploaded by artofbrownsville.

T.A.O.B entrevista Mario Jiménez Díaz, pintor actualmente radicado en Matamoros, con dos exposiciones en la ciudad de Brownsville, una de manera colectiva en la galería "409E" y otra individual en el restaurant "Tre Fratelli"-(inauguración sera el prox. 16 de Nov de 4:30 a 6:30 pm).

*Cuéntanos que te inspira a pintar?
El motivo de mi pintura son los recuerdos; desde pequeño siempre me gusto poner mucha atención en el ambiente que me rodeaba para registrar todo en mi mente y no olvidar los detalles de momentos importantes, por lo tanto creo que somos el resultado o la consecuencia de esos momentos y de sus recuerdos.
En mis pinturas plasmo momentos cruciales en mi vida así como el de otras personas cercanas; imágenes algunas mas claras o nítidas que otras pero saturadas de color y de elementos que agregamos a lo largo de los años y que originalmente nunca estuvieron presentes.
Eso, mas la fuerza y el impacto que los colores causan al espectador.

*Que educación formal tienes en las artes o has aprendido solo?
Obtuve mi título profesional como Licenciado en Artes Visuales con especialidad en Producción audiovisual y fotografía en la Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León en el año de 1998.
Originalmente el proyecto estaba enfocado a la fotografía y video experimental pero por azares del destino lleve el proyecto a pintura, obteniendo las bases de alumnos y egresados de la misma carrera para posteriormente aprender a base de pruebas y errores, y de mucha insistencia en lograr mis objetivos.

*Tienes una exhibición en Galería 409 y una Tre Fratelli, cuéntanos un poco sobre obras de arte que preparaste para estas dos funciones y si fue difícil en cuestiones de los requisitos que las galerías te hayan pedido?
En el caso de la exposición “Passers By” en la Galería 409E, un grupo de artistas y yo trabajos en conjuntos y formamos el colectivo “La Azotea”. Después de concretar el tema (el fenómenos de la migración hacia los EUA específicamente en la frontera Matamoros – Brownsville) y las características de la exposición, platicamos con el dueño de la galería, Mark Clark, quien nos dio completa libertad para generar la obra, ya que conocía nuestro trabajo previo.
En el caso de la exposición “Inside looking out” en Tre Frattelli, estoy exponiendo de manera individual algunas de mis pinturas realizadas del 2003 a la fecha.
En ambos casos hubo total disposición y apoyo por parte de los responsables lo cual confirma mi idea de que espacios donde exponer siempre existen, es cuestión de uno como artista buscarlos y ofrecer su trabajo.

*Cuando abrió la exposición "PASSERS BY" en 409 te gusto el ambiente de la Inauguración y si miras o sientes que hay un gran interés en el publico?
Desafortunadamente el día de la inauguración llovió mucho por lo cual notamos una baja afluencia de visitantes pero posteriormente platicando con Mark me comento que ha tenido un gran número de visitantes. Creo que con la apertura de espacios culturales las personas están cada vez mas interesadas ya que se puede ofrecer mayor propuestas artísticas para los diferentes tipos de públicos y esto también tiene como consecuencia que los artistas tengamos cada vez que prepáranos mas y ofrecer un mejor trabajo en busca de la aceptación de los espectadores.

* Que pintor famoso viviendo o en la historia te identificas tu mas con y porque?
Actualmente estoy muy influenciado por un grupo de artistas, músicos y pintores que radican en la ciudad de Monterrey, México y que traen unas propuestas muy interesantes llenas de reflexión a los tiempos que nos toco vivir pero también con un sentido del humor muy especial, como son el caso de Jorge Najera, Ismael Merla, Ernesto Falcón, etc.
Pero al pintor que mas admiro y que considero que es uno de los pintores mas importantes de nuestra época es el pintor austriaco Gottfried Helnwein (www.helnwein.com) entren a su página y verán porque.

*Cuando pintas, pintas en privado o compartes tus ideas con alguien?
Dado a que siempre e pintado por las noches, por lo general pinto solo, salvo algunas ocasiones en las que me acompaña mi esposa; de esa manera me concentro mejor ya que me distraigo muy fácilmente. En cuanto a la planeación de los proyectos siempre e sido muy abierto con las personas que me rodean; muchos de ellos conocen cuales son mis siguientes proyectos y constantemente ayudan a aterrizar muchas de las ideas.
Creo que mientras mas receptivo se predisponga uno a estar a los estímulos exteriores, será mayor la información con la que contemos para poder traducirla y poder generar productos artísticos de calidad.

* Que precio o valor personal les das a tus obras, o de que forma les mides el nivel de su importancia?
En mi caso el precio de las obras es directamente proporcional al grado de diversión que obtuve al realizar la pieza. Se escucha medio extraño pero es la verdad, mientras el lazo afectivo sea mas fuerte con la pintura, mayor será su precio. Y el valor afectivo se debe a múltiples razones como pueden ser el grado de reto que me represento, el estado de animo que tuve durante la producción, mi situación afectiva, hasta lo bien o mal que me haya caído la comida, las cervezas o los cigarros mientras pintaba cada uno de mis cuadros.

*Que te gusto o te dio interés de The Art Of Brownsville BLOG ?
A principios de año, recién regresando a mi ciudad natal Matamoros después de 14 años de vivir en Monterrey me puse a investigar en Internet espacios en la ciudad de Brownsville donde pudiera exponer mis pinturas, así encontré el sitio TAOB y me ha servido muchísimo para conocer el ambiente artístico y cultural de Brownsville y mantenerme actualizado de los eventos de esa ciudad.
La verdad, viviendo en Monterrey, pensé que no había tantos espacios ni artistas en Brownsville como ahora me doy cuenta existen y esto gracias a la información que encuentro en TAOB.

Saludos cordiales desde Matamoros y espero contar con su asistencia el proximo 16 de Nov. a las 4:30 en Tre Fratelli.

State of Art

Word is, a sort of Renaissance is in the works in Brownsville. If people are talking like this, great! But this concept is nothing new. It's been on the hearts and minds of many people and, it's already in progression. If you look at the Italian Renaissance, it's beginnings were in the guilds, where simple craftsmen, masons and carpenters were empowered creatively to enhance their surroundings and thus enhance the quality of life and bring Italy out of the Dark Ages! Ofcourse, they had benefactors such as the church and private commissioners who knew how to harness the power of art to influence people. Today this would be called Marketing. And don't you find some interesting similarities between the rise of interest in our local architecture, history and culture and a similar interest by renaissance Italians to revive neo-classical elements in their architecture and culture?

Ofcourse today, we are not in 15th century Italy and artists have more resources and options available to them. An artist does not have to hope for a Lorenzo de' Medici to scoop them under his wings. (Though, wouldn't that be nice?) An artist can have two art agents, be represented by three or five galleries and work on commissions for various benefactors and not just one. Though, what artists are limited by are by the number of locations they can pursue such a career. New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and in closer proximity Houston and Mexico City come to mind when considering such locations.

So my question is, can Brownsville become the place to support artists and their careers? Or are local artists fated to continue their art as an after-five pursuit until our city can develop into a busy urban metropolis like Houston or San Antonio?

Personally, I think we don't have to wait. Look at how small towns like Marfa, Texas and San Miguel de Allende have been able to develop into thriving artist colonies where people travel from all over the world to be inspired. Isn't that the initial pull to art in the first place, a desire to be inspired and to be creative? If we keep our goals on that simple notion, we will realize that Brownsville is not such a dry well after all and that we already have the resources to develop our Florence. Mostly, we just need the drive and ganas to make it happen!