Today I woke up with the idea of taking the day off work and visiting Harlingen and kind of crashing the Harlingen local art scene if you will. I decided to load up my car with some artwork just in case there was an opportunity to exhibit or whatever.. I wasn't alone on this journey, my wife Dahlia and daughter Angela decided to go along for the ride. I know what you may be thinking wow wee Harlingen, I know, but know this I am a Brownsvillian, I hardly do stuff out in the other cities of the Valley .. Usually its concerts that get me going.. But any ways..I guess I am trying to change that.. you know get to know our fellow cities..Its what this blog is about "que no". So we got there to Jackson street "where the Market Days is set to take place" not really knowing what was there but maybe one gallery.. Not bad, the peacefull downtown looked promising.. Our first stop was SCHAUB ART STUDIO, this place is very appealing from the get go.. The building seems to be remodeled into a modern colonial pop house kinda place I guess an art statement of sorts to represent what lies inside. The studio is very well kept and pop art from wall to wall. We walked in the door and were greeted in rightaway.. To our luck the artist was present and at work.. So I introduce myself and yata yata .. this and that.. I realize I had exhibited with Schaub at the Port Isabel Museum in early 2007 ,hmm I just never thought he had a place here in Harlingen, but very great character Schaub . Very easy to talk to , not so much trying to be misterious, or egotistic.., just very pleasant and streight forward.. After a while , we exhange contact info and we decided to move along to see what else the Jackson street artwalk had to offer. By the way anyone wanting info on Schaub 956-742-9292...
We went on to the D Arte Center where we were greeted by Celeste De Luna the gallery director.. It was the busy hour for Celeste as she was preparing the new exhibition guest artist..I looked around to see who was a member and exhibiting.. which I saw work from artist Marylin Brown of Brownsville. There was just alot of work., Some of it yeah for my taste other eh.. the new exhibiting artist art is very similar to Castorena , I will put more on that. I thought at that moment to maybe become a member so I can leave the artwork I had braught with me, but I wasn't to convinced..Well there was a 95dolloar fee which is not at all bad for a year, but a commitment to come once a month and pitch in help , had be in doubt. Due to my other commitments. After a good talk with Celeste, I realized a while back I had the opportunity of exhibiting with her a recent Kingsville exhibition "As of Now " fall of 2007, I decided to think about before making a bad decision well not being able to keep up with my time once a month.. So we said good by to Celeste de Luna . Anyone wanting more info on D Arte center please contact:956-454-1809 or visit myspace/litebluna .
My last stop was Rustica - Mexican Imports and Fine Arts 956-592-7543, a new location that recently opened two months ago. This new location has expanded its floor plan and has increased its inventory to bigger rustic hand crafted furniture produced by mexican artisans. This store is filled with all kinds of hand crafted art, from ceramics to wood carved tables and bar stools. Most of the imagery in the carvings resemble the artwork of Diego Rivera. After a while of going through the store, I just had to ask the owner if due to there additional walls space if they were willing to hang my artwork and agree to a sort of consingment. To my luck they decided to give my artwork a chance on there wall after an overnight think it through.. I couldn't be happier, this place felt like a second home. CHECKOUT PICTURES "currently to be edited" OF RUSTICA at my personal blog : www.theartworkofgabriel-trevino.blogspot.com .
We went on to the D Arte Center where we were greeted by Celeste De Luna the gallery director.. It was the busy hour for Celeste as she was preparing the new exhibition guest artist..I looked around to see who was a member and exhibiting.. which I saw work from artist Marylin Brown of Brownsville. There was just alot of work., Some of it yeah for my taste other eh.. the new exhibiting artist art is very similar to Castorena , I will put more on that. I thought at that moment to maybe become a member so I can leave the artwork I had braught with me, but I wasn't to convinced..Well there was a 95dolloar fee which is not at all bad for a year, but a commitment to come once a month and pitch in help , had be in doubt. Due to my other commitments. After a good talk with Celeste, I realized a while back I had the opportunity of exhibiting with her a recent Kingsville exhibition "As of Now " fall of 2007, I decided to think about before making a bad decision well not being able to keep up with my time once a month.. So we said good by to Celeste de Luna . Anyone wanting more info on D Arte center please contact:956-454-1809 or visit myspace/litebluna .
My last stop was Rustica - Mexican Imports and Fine Arts 956-592-7543, a new location that recently opened two months ago. This new location has expanded its floor plan and has increased its inventory to bigger rustic hand crafted furniture produced by mexican artisans. This store is filled with all kinds of hand crafted art, from ceramics to wood carved tables and bar stools. Most of the imagery in the carvings resemble the artwork of Diego Rivera. After a while of going through the store, I just had to ask the owner if due to there additional walls space if they were willing to hang my artwork and agree to a sort of consingment. To my luck they decided to give my artwork a chance on there wall after an overnight think it through.. I couldn't be happier, this place felt like a second home. CHECKOUT PICTURES "currently to be edited" OF RUSTICA at my personal blog : www.theartworkofgabriel-trevino.blogspot.com .
After visiting Rustica , Schaub, and D Arte Center, I just had to become a part of this great art community. I couldn't thank Rustica enough for the opportunity.
I encourage everyone to take an artwalk to Jackson Street in Harlingen, if your from out of town, maybe a neighboring city, hey get out there its way worth the trip.
PLEASE NOTE: Pictures were taken early Saturday 2/02/08 after a nice cup of coffee and conversation with Celeste de Luna and Benjamin P. Varela. Many thanks to them for there hospitality
2 comments:
Gabriel,
Did you run across Nancy Sclight's space in Harlingen? It's been a while since I last visited downtown Harlingen, but I remember she shared a working/exhibiting space with 2 other artists on the same street as D'Arte center. Harlingen also organizes RioFest,
a celebration of the arts with exhibit and vendor space. I believe it starts in March.
No, I didn't. No one mention there being anything else so I just assumed that was it, but I will ask on my next visit and look for it. I plan to go check out the murals around the downtown area. I want to put up pics here on TAOB on that. Rio Fest, gotta look into that.
gabriel trevino
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