"It doesn’t feel like Brownsville", is the comment I received from various people at The Art of Brownsville Mixer at Gallery 409 this past Saturday. The atmosphere that evening was elating as folks enjoyed the eclectic sights and sounds. For one thing, Gallery 409 is an impressive space with its historical and architectural presence. The view of the downtown Brownsville skyline from the 2nd floor is also probably one of the best views in Brownsville. There was also a show by Chicano artist Paul Valadez on the 1st floor and a photography exhibition by Robin Dru Germany and Karen Sanders on the 2nd floor. Guests also got to enjoy conjunto music by accordionist and artist Cande Aguilar and punk and rock music by local bands The Winos and ANYthing Goes.
Perhaps we may have channeled the hip and trendy Manhattan atmosphere or the underground and bohemian culture of the Austin art scene, or perhaps we may have channeled what we have always been, Brownsville! It may not feel like Brownsville, but pinch yourself again, because I assure you it is!
Gone are the days of moping that Brownsville doesn’t have this or doesn’t have that, yes, yes…if you work and/or live in Brownsville, then at some point (and probably various times) you have found yourself in frustration over limited resources. I am not saying that we already have everything we need, because we don’t...but what I am saying is that we should stop moping or pointing fingers, put our egos aside, and get things moving and wisely use the resources we already have to create more opportunities and bring more into and out of our community! (Phew! Did you get all that?).
I may sound like a broken record, but I truly and passionately believe that Brownsville’s strongest resources are its arts, culture and people. And yet, we don’t maximize on them! We have a rich history, and yet we have a neglected downtown with so many buildings (too many abandoned and left to decay) craving for renovation and the vigor of their former lives. We have so many talented people, yet few venues for them to exhibit their talents. We live in a multi-cultural and international area of constant cultural exchange and commerce and yet, we have low retention and academic performance rates in our schools and one of the lowest per capita income rates in the nation. Sometimes I fear, that what we deem as weaknesses should be viewed as strengths or opportunities.
The days of moping are over, because we are obviously a different Brownsville from the Brownsville of 10 years ago and even the Brownsville of 5 years ago. The Arts and Culture scene has grown tremendously. We now have the new and beautiful Brownsville Museum of Fine Art, the Children’s Museum of Brownsville, the Costumes of America Museum, the Historic Brownsville Museum, the Brownsville Heritage Complex, four Art Galleries (Richardson, Breeden, Imagenes and Gallery 409) the Camille Playhouse Theatre, great Fine Arts and Entertainment programs at UTB/TSC and BISD, the Latin Jazz and Cine Sol Festivals, more entertainment venues in town, and just so much more….
Our options and opportunities have increased and with the Cultural Mitte District initiative coming into fruition, I am eager to see more eyes turn back to our roots, to Downtown Brownsville! To see the El Jardin Hotel and the Capital Theatre alive and thriving once more! To see parking garages erected to help ease the parking situation. To see families at Washington Park and the upcoming Linear Park, walking, having picnics, to see children playing. To see more buildings renovated and turned into businesses, into offices, into homes, into hip apartments or lofts, into schools, into more galleries and museums…into whatever great potential downtown Brownsville has…and trust me, it has a lot! If you don’t believe me, just refer to the response by the Art of Brownsville mixer guests, “It doesn’t feel like Brownsville”.
Whatever it felt like, it felt good. And trust me, that feeling was Brownsville. Let’s make Brownsville shine, its beautiful art and culture and its people!
Above Art: "Browntown", 2006, Oil on Canvas by Cande Aguilar. View Cande's artwork on display at Tre Fratelli Italian Restaurant for the month of December. 3001 Pablo Kisel Blvd, Brownsville, TX 78526, (956) 574-9888
8 comments:
Mayra,
You said the truth and it all! Brownsville is alive, rich and WILL be the Multicultural Art Thriving metropolis that we all are longing and working for. Thanks to you and many supporting Brownsville citizens!
Thanks Lucy! :)
I hope more people agree?
Folks, do you think Brownsville will ever become the please want it to be? What kind of place do you want it to be? Let us know! Give us your feedback! What do you envision Brownsville's best to be?
Way to go TAOB! Your team and all who support the efforts of making it happen are greatly appreciated not only in Brownsville but all around the world.
It is so fascinating to see all of the art work around us! Brownsville is beautiful, and I am so glad that the art scene is growing before our very eyes. All of these changes, you mentioned Mayra, can happen, especially with the economic boom in our area. It just needs careful fostering by who? You may ask- us. Everyone can contribute by attending and encouraging.
Brownsville will no longer be a tiny dot on the tip of Texas, but a bigger dot (haha) with so much more culturally enriching aspects.
I am eager to see what our city and university will be like in 10 or 15 years. Watch out, because here we come!
An inspiring post Mayra. You should write more.
What you wrote is the truth. Some time ago I decided to stop complaining about Brownsville's apparent lack of resources and to start seeking out what the town really has to offer. I've discovered a lot of good in my town, good that was always there.
Still, we need to work to make Brownsville a place where free expression is welcome and fresh ideas flow.
It's up to our generation. We're the ones who are empowered now, but sometimes we just forget.
So, everyone, do your thing. Paint a picture, make a blog, make a film, open a cd store, start a band, open a cafe, start a coop supermarket, create a moving art space. Whatever, just remember, you can do it in Brownsville.
Thanks Anonymous commenter, Crystal and Mike for your comments and support. :) Let's start spreading the word! Making Brownsville and the whole Valley/Tamaulipas Frontera shine will involve a ripple effect, from person to another, making a difference in their own way or with others.
I completely agree with you, downtown has such potential. It still pains me to see the Majestic turned into whatever type of shopping mall that is. As a child I remember the large red carpeted curved staircase...(bear with me at least that is how I remember it).I am excited as well to see what lies ahead for us.
My one memory of The Majestic is very abstract and vague...I think my parents may have taken my sister and I there to see E.T. and I was running up the aisle (with true toddler curiousity) to see the screen. It's once of my first memories. It is sad to see it in the state it is now...especially with the marquee rusting and broken. I hope this theatre may be restored as well. My mother has told me of various theatres that used to be around town (most unrecognizable now). I am an 80's child, so the only theatres I can clearly remember are Sunrise, Amigoland (I can remember seeing "Honey I Shrunk The Kids" there) and Northpark (the one I most frequented.) Then came Movies 10 and I remember the movie opening there was Batman and it was such a big deal and a $3 admission charge felt expensive (for me atleast).
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