Artist Beth Fedigan at the BHC

Brownsville-South Padre Island artist Beth Fedigan will be one of the featured artists in the exhibition Hecho a Mano: A Heartfelt Tradition at the Brownsville Heritage Complex. The exhibition opens at 6:30 pm on August 10, 2006 with a reception. The reception is free to the public. The exhibition runs through October 9, 2006 and is included with general admission to the Brownsville Heritage Complex.

Fedigan, who is well-known for her watercolors of fish and beach life, will feature her hand-made baskets which are made from local materials found around South Padre Island.

According to Fedigan, “My work is strongly influenced by texture. Texture is surface enrichment. It’s manipulative; and by staining, scratching, weathering, and whatever else we can do to surfaces, it makes the piece beautiful. We live in a primarily visual world. I feel that the more ways we find to express our ideas and reactions to the world, the more effectively we will respond to the stimulation we receive from our immediate environment. Art is a form of communication, and/or self reflection. Art should make a viewer think, but it shouldn’t tell a viewer what to think. For me, the act of creating is spiritual; it is communicating with the creative forces that drive me. Ultimately, art allows me to express things through visual means that cannot be communicated with words.”

Hecho a Mano: A Heartfelt Tradition explores the hand-made traditions of South Texas and Northern Mexico.

Along with Fedigan’s original baskets, Mission artist Julian Rodriguez will showcase his ceramic bowls, plates and cups, as well as his more sculptural folk-saint series. McAllen artist Raquel Hinojosa will display her paper mache art.

Also on display will be paper crafts, local hand-made piñatas, and textiles of Mexico from the private collection of UTPA Special Collections Librarian George R. Gause.

Through the duration of the exhibition, workshops and public demonstrations are scheduled in conjunction with the exhibition.

The Brownsville Heritage Complex is located in historic downtown Brownsville at 1325 E. Washington St. The Brownsville Heritage Complex includes: The Stillman House Museum, The Brownsville Heritage Museum, The Aiken Education Center, The Heritage Resource Center and the Children's Heritage and Cultural Learning Center.

For more information please call 956-541-5560 or email info@brownsvillehistory.org.

EL Second Weensdee

The Narciso Martinez Cultural Arts Center
presents

"El Second Weensdee"
with

FLAVIO LONGORIA
and special guest Max Baca

Wednesday August 9, 2006 at 7:00 pm

In preparation for the 15th Annual Narciso Martinez Conjunto Festival,
"the Chicho" will feature accordionist Flavio Longoria at the next "El Second Weensdee." The Conjunto Kingz de Flavio Longoria will perform at the Conjunto Festival on Friday September 15, and this "Second Weensdee" conjunto fans will have the perfect opportunity to get to know this rising accordion star.

Longoria is destined to a life of music following his famous father's footsteps, Texas conjunto pioneer Valerio Longoria. The young Flavio learned music quickly, playing accordion, saxophone, bass guitar, drums, singing and recording with his father's band. Together they toured nationally, but one of Flavio's most fond memories is performing with him in 1985 when Don Valerio was honored with a National Heritage Award and proclaimed a National Treasure. With his new group, the Conjunto Kingz, Flavio is committed to keeping his father's style and musical legacy alive, a talent he has keenly inherited, especially with those beautiful and romantic boleros that continue to resonate in the hearts of the Chicano people.

To the delight of "Second Weensdee" fans, the highly acclaimed bajista Max Baca will once again appear at "the Chicho's" stage. Best known for his participation with groups such as Flaco Jimenez, The Texas Tornados and Los Super Seven, Baca has toured nationally and internationally. Baca has participated in three Grammy Award-winning albums and is now the front man of the group Los Texmaniacs, which will also perform at this year's Conjunto Festival.

a reception follows the presentation

$5 admission
225 E. Stenger Street, San Benito, TX 78586
(956) 361-0110

Sad Mac

Sorry for the lack of updates folks. I don't have access to the internet through my Mac and so I have been stuck with my lame old PC that has the equivalent processing capacity of churning butter. I love RoadRunner service but Time Warner needs to train their techs to know how to install Macs...punto! Then the PC just about freaks out for any command I ask it do that involves running two programs at the same time. It's not that I am an anti-PC fascist...I use a very efficient PC at work, pero...I gotta tell you folks...once you go Mac, it's hard to go back!
I am going to see if I can install wireless in my house so I can once again be whole with my Mac, but untill then please bare with me. The Art of Brownsville is still here...aguitada pero con ganas!

Chilangolandia vs. The Big Apple

Coming Soon... Check out the impressions of one Brownsvillian's visits to Mexico City and New York City.

"The David" in Weslaco

Weslaco I.S.D. art teachers worked together to purchase an exact replica of Michelangelo Buonarroti's "David". The art teachers raised money through donations from children, parents, teachers, doctors, and private donations from Weslaco families. The replica was created directly from a master mold of the famous sculpture housed at the Galleria Dell' Academia, Florence.

The sculpture will be presented to the Weslaco Chamber of Commerce on September 18,2006 and will be dedicated to the youth of Weslaco. The public will have free acces to the sculpture to admire and study year round.

For more information, please contact James Miller, Head Organizer for Project David
at coolartclasses@yahoo.com or contact Weslaco Chamber of Commerce toll free at 888-968-102.

******

Note: Very cool news! To have a mold of Michaelangelo's most famous work in the Valley will be a great cultural and educational resource for all, especially for art students who can study the piece to help them develop and improve their drawing and/or sculpture technique. I vaguely remember a Simpsons episode where the Springfield citizens protested the viewing of the sculpture. I am glad to see that this is not the case here in the Valley.

Luis Jimenez Sculpture at Brownsville-SPI Airport

Luis Jimenez Sculpture at Brownsville-SPI Airport
Originally uploaded by artofbrownsville.

A while back I was waiting to catch a flight to Houston and my eye happened to catch the sight of this sculpture at the Brownsville-South Padre Island Airport. One name flashed through my mind, "Luis Jimenez". "NAAHHHHH..." Him, his work??... here? In Brownsville? In the airport? The Brownsville airport???

I was in disbelief. (I must admit, even though Brownsville has grown so much, the small town mentality still sticks). But it was no illusion...before me was his signature and unmistakable style as proof. The sculpture was protected only by three rope barracades. "Uff!"...If people didn't know what this was, they could pass it for Dean Porter Park's newest playground installation. "Wait.", I thought, "Do people know what this sculpture is? Do they know who made it? What it means to art? What it means to representation of our culture?" Then I saw a sign near by, "PLEASE DO NOT ALLOW CHILDREN TO CLIMB"....OK, so my guess most people don't know.

I left the airport thinking, I have to take a picture one day and put it on the blog! Well, like many good intentions...the thought stayed well intended and was not brought to fruitation. Then a week ago came the sad news that Luis Jimenez died from an accident involving one of his pieces. Read the story by clicking here.

I remember one time in art school, my sculpture professor mentioned that Luis Jimenez attended and taught at UT. I was like, "Wow! When? I want the chance to be his student!" The magnificent thing about visual art though is that even though the the artist may no longer be with us, the artist's work is nearly immortal! We can continue to learn from the artist!

In respect to Luis Jimenez, I encourage you to learn from Luis Jimenez's life and work. As a Mexican-American artist from El Paso, he worked to express and share our culture on La Frontera. Thank you Mr. Jimenez for all you have done for art and for our frontera culture!

PS: If anyone may know who owns the piece or how it arrived to be placed the airport please comment below. It would be most interesting to know the story.

Sad Day

More info to be posted soon....

***************************************************************

Studio Accident Kills Well-known Sculptor
Austin American Statesman

Hondo, N.M.

Luis Jimenez, a University of Texas graduate whose sculptures have been displayed at the Smithsonian and the Museum of Modern Art, died Tuesday in what authorities are calling an industrial accident. He was 65.

Part of a sculture was being moved with a hoist at Jimenez's Hondo studio when it came loose and struck the artist, pinning him against a steel support....He was taken to the Lincoln County Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

Love and Passion

Galleria 409

The Brownsville Town Company Presents

GALLERIA 409

May 18, 2006 6pm-10pm

Art Gallery Networking Mixer
Wine Tasting
Appetizers
Lice Music
Free Dorado's Season Ticket Givewaway
and many more prizes!

409 E. 13th St. Between Levee and Elizabeth St. Brownsville, TX 78520
Free Admission!
Artwork by Cory Berendzen

Sponsored by ClearChannel Radio and The Brownsville Society for Performing Arts

Artist Rene Hugo Arceo at the NMCAC

Narciso Martinez Cultural Arts Center
Host: The Narciso Martinez Cultural Arts Center
Location: 225 E. Stenger Street, San Benito, TX View Map
When: Friday, May 19, 10:00am to 12:00pm
Phone: 956-361-0110

You are welcome to join us in an informal conversation with Rene Hugo Arceo. Rene is an experienced artist and arts administrator from Chicago and will speak on the subjects of art education, curating, docent training, per-cent for art programs, and working in grass-roots as well as established arts organizations. Here's a chance to ask questions of someone who's done lots in the visual arts. (www.arceoart.us)

The Narciso will provide coffee, and you are welcome to bring pan de dulce, pastries and/or orange juice. After our meeting we will gather for a dutch treat lunch at Super Antojitos in San Benito - 101 S. Sam Houston (361-7373).

Although admission is free, this is a private event.

For more information on our upcoming art show, "Grafica Popular de Chicago" and the reception and lecture on May 19th, visit
http://brownsvilleart.blogspot.com
or
http://www.geocities.com/nmcacsb/WebPressReleases.htm

Grafica Popular de Chicago at the NMCAC

Mario E. Castillo, Nicolas de Jesus, Hector Duarte, Elvia Rodriguez, Maria Evangelina Soliz, Joel Rendon, Alfredo Martinez, Tony Galigo, Carlos A. Cortez, Mirtes Swiersinsky, Leopoldo Praxedis, Jesus Acuna, Guillermo Delgado, Eufemio Pulido, Edgar Lopez, Tomas Bringas, Gerardo de la Barrera, Carlos Villanueva, Mark Ernst, Rita Marquez, Rene H. Arceo, Benjamin P. Varela

curated by
Benjamin P. Varela, Rene Hugo Arceo, Brian and Aleida Wedgworth

The Narciso Martinez Cultural Arts Center is pleased to announce the opening of an extraordinary exhibition of graphic art from Chicago’s famed El Taller Mexicano de Grabado (Mexican Printmaking Workshop.) Led by acclaimed artist Rene Hugo Arceo, El Taller was a collective experiment formed to teach and promote printmaking among Lationo artists in Chicago. This show will include works of members active from 1990 to 1997.

Opening Reception Friday May 19th at 7:00 PM
Lecture by Rene Hugo Arceo
“100 Years of Mexican Printmaking: from Posada to the Chicano Experience”
8:00 PM

This lecture will demonstrate, from an artist’s perspective, the rich 20th century graphic arts tradition in Mexico.
Highlights include Jose Guadalupe Posada’s influence in shaping the national Mexican identity, the Open Air Schools, the famous Taller de Grafica Popular , the rupture period, 1968 graphics as well as the Chicano experience.

Seating is limited.
225 E. Stenger Street * San Benito, Texas * (956) 361-0110

NMCAC "El Second Weensdee"

The Narciso Martinez Cultural Arts Center celebrates Mother's Day during
 
"El Second Weensdee"
featuring
 Heriberto "Herbie" Lopez
 and guest bajista
Max Baca
 
Wednesday May 10, 2006
7:00 PM
225 E. Stenger Street
San Benito, TX
$5 admission
 
The multi-faceted musician Herbie Lopez is a staple of the late 1960's and early 1970's Tejano Conjunto sound.  Rooted in Robstown, Texas, Herbie was deeply influenced by the conjuntos that performed for the cotton field workers of the Coastal Bend area and the sounds of radio stations such as KUNO of Corpus Christi and KOPY of Alice, Texas.  Herbie taught himself to play piano accordion, but also played rums and bass with rock'n'roll bands.  His conjunto rhythms were perfected when he played with El Conjunto de Beto Martinez but his musical career climaxed between 1968 and 1974 when he played keyboards for the legendary Conjunto Bernal.  Lopez was influenced deeply by accordionists Paulino Bernal and Oscar Hernandez and remembers fondly his days performing with Juan Sifuentes, Eloy Bernal, Beto Salinas, Chacha Jimenez, Joe Ramos, Beto Torres and Joe Solis.  Lopez settled in the Rio Grande Valley in 1982 and taught high school band in Weslaco for twenty years.
 
As a special treat, accompanying Lopez on bajo sexto will be one of the most talented bajo sexto players in the music industry, Max Baca.  Best known for his participation with groups such as Flaco Jimenez y su Conjunto, The Texas Tornados, Los Hermanos Baca, Aztex and Los Super Seven, Baca has toured nationally and internationally.  He has participated in three Grammy Award-winning albums and is now the front man of the group Texmaniacs.
 
Herbie Lopez will tell his story and perform with Max Baca at the next "Second Weensdee."  A reception will follow the presentation.
 
"El Second Weensdee" is an oral history series on a local cultural treasure - conjunto music.  The Narciso Martinez Cultural Arts Center preserves, promotes and advances the rich cultural heritage of the "Mexicano" community through programming in the arts.
 
For more information call (956) 361-0110

New Brownsville Blog

Check out my cousin's new Brownsville Blog. Read and contribute to the interesting and thought provoking discussions he has begun there.

In This Corner...Your Talk Around Town

Want to check out other Brownsville Blogs? Click any the links below.

Cafe Brownsville
Brownsville Eats
Brownsville Talk
Brownsville Scenes

Have a Brownsville blog and want to promote it? Send a link by clicking here.

Art School Confidential

From the makers of "Ghost World" and "Bad Santa" comes the movie "Art School Confidential" based on an original comic strip of the same name by the screenplay writer and comic artist Daniel Clowes. This movie is a parody so it will have the obvious art school stereotypes but I couldn't help but laugh and recognize some elements. Ah, I am probably biting my own tongue here. Art school is a great experience and I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. But check out the movie if you ever want to have a laugh and recognize some of those elements as well.

To see the "Art School Confidential" trailers CLICK HERE.

To go to the movie website CLICK HERE.

If you want to share some thoughts on the movie or art school in general feel free to add your thoughts in the comments section linked below this post or CLICK HERE.

UTB/TSC Scorpion Scholars

I know this is not art-related, but this is a great opportunity for our local youth wanting to pursue a higher education.

~~

The deadline is quickly approaching for high school seniors planning to apply for the new UTB/TSC University Scorpion Scholars scholarships.

The new Scorpions Scholar Scholarship (USS) program, available to the top 10 percent of graduating high school seniors residing in the TSC taxing district, offers up to four years of tuition, fees, books and on-campus housing.

The USS scholarship will cover tuition and fees for 15 or more college credits; $500 per fall and spring semesters for books and supplies, plus $1,150 per fall and spring semesters for on-campus housing on a space available basis.

Students have until 5 p.m. Wednesday, May 10 to submit their scholarship applications to the Financial Aid Office. The scholarship is limited to 115 students.

Award letters will be mailed out the recipients the week of May 15-19.

Under the old Scorpions Scholar program, $600 was awarded annually to the top five and 10 percent of graduating high school seniors for their first year at UTB/TSC.

For more information, call the Financial Aid Office at 882-8277

Support the Brownsville Museum of Fine Art

As Brownsville Museum of Fine Art nears completion at 7th and Ringgold, Brownsville, the entire community is coming together to bring the project to fruition. "We are $500,000 short of our capital campaign goal" said Mary Carey, Brownsville Museum of Fine Art Board Member "All together it will be a 3 million project.

To assist in the fundraising, International Bank of Commerce is sponsoring an art show by sculpture, Victor Gutiérrez, Thursday, May 25th at the Bank's main branch 1600 FM 802. Doors will open at 6:00 for the wine & cheese ($25 per person) with the artwork of Sculpture Victor Gutiérrez on display and for sale. The artist Gutierrez, currently touring in Europe is the creator of the renowned " El Angel in Mexico City."

He will be in Brownsville for the exhibit and has donated a bronze to be raffled at the event. Raffle tickets are $100 each. All proceeds from the event will benefit the Brownsville Museum of Fine Art Building Fund.

On June 2, 2006, at the current Brownsville Museum of Fine Art photography by Dr. Jose Castañeda will be exhibited. "The COLORS of Brownsville" is a collection of forty photographs of botanicals from the lawns in and around Brownsville. Again, all proceeds will benefit the Brownsville Museum of Fine Art Building Fund.

"We are very honored at the commitment of Dr. Jose Castaneda and others" said Carol DeMoss, Executive Director with the Brownsville Museum of Fine Art. "This is several years of outstanding work Dr. Castañeda has donated. Many times, Dr. Castaneda would go to a home as many as twenty times to meet owners and ask permission to photograph a plant or flower. His images are exquisite."

A U.S. Multi -Regional Impact Assessment System statement indicates:

The nonprofit arts sector is the incubator for the vast role of cultural activity in the economy. For every $1 spent on those activities more than $2.98 of cultural impact on the economy occurs. The contribution of the cultural arts as traditionally measured has a substantial impact on the economy of Texas including 63.7 billion in total expenditures, $31.5 billion in Gross Product, $18.7 billion in Personal Income and over 600,000 Permanent jobs.

For anyone wishing more information regarding the Building Fund or the any of the upcoming art shows to benefit the Brownsville Museum of Fine Art contact the museum at (967) 542-0941.

Artist Directory Update

Check out The Art of Brownsville Artist Directory!

Mosaic of El Valle: Expresiones del Pueblo

AUSTIN, Texas (April 25) – Mosaic of El Valle: Expresiones del Pueblo, a unique community residency program scheduled for May 1-6 in the town of Mercedes, explores the legends of South Texas’ Rio Grande region as represented though traditional storytelling, dance, visual art, and music.

Choreographer Jesse Murguia, visual artist Rosendo Sandoval and traditional musicians Rosa and Joe Pérez will participate in performances, workshops, informal lectures, pláticas and exhibits during this residency, co-produced by Texas Folklife Resources and Mercedes Independent School District as part of an outreach program that celebrates Mexican-American cultural traditions. All events are free and open to the public.

Through their performances and pláticas, residency artists and community members will examine Valley leyendas such as “La Llorona,” “La Bikina” and “La Lechuza.” Included in the program is “Las Llogas de Agua,” a song by Rosa Pérez that tells a story of illegal immigration and reveals how art can effectively reflect current issues. It also demonstrates the processes by which experiences ingrained in a community’s life become part of local lore. Each performance shows the power of collaborative creative projects in forging the Rio Grande Valley’s identity. Through their life stories and representations of local legends, these artists help community members consider the historical significance of South Texas lore and its relevance to their cultural identity. Events take place at several venues including schools, senior-citizen centers, performing arts centers, libraries and auditoriums

Choreographer Jesse Murguia, a Rio Grande Valley native, studied dance and choreography at the University of Texas-Pan American in Edinburg and trained under several internationally renowned dancers. An instructor in the Mercedes Independent School District Fine Arts Program, Murguia founded the Brazos Rio Grande School of Dance in 2003 to produce programs that capture the Valley’s history, folklore and stories. Through an understanding of dance not only as a part of life, but as a way of life, Murguia aims to create cultural self-awareness among his students and encourage them toward creative outlets for expressions of their heritage and identity.

Self-taught musicians Rosa and Joe Pérez bring familiar tunes to life for new generations of South Texans. Weaving original poetry and song with vintage música ranchera, the guitar-playing duo performs as Rumbo al’ Anacua, traveling on the Texas-Mexicano path of cultural memory – remembrances of their parents and grandparents, the history of their barrios and the experiences of their community. Theirs is a presentation of “Cultura con Canción.”

Painter Rosendo Sandoval’s emphasis on composition, color and contrast bring Valley legends to life on canvas. He captures through art the story of his childhood memories of Mexico and his experiences in Texas, where his family immigrated in 1970.

The community is encouraged to attend all residency activities, particularly evening performances and exhibits at 7 p.m. May 1 and 3 at the Mercedes Memorial Library; “Legend Tripping” at 6 p.m. May 5 at the Graham historical building; and the final event at 2 p.m. May 6 at the Graham Auditorium. For a schedule or more information, contact Jesse Murguia at (956) 279-8238 (j_murguia_fdc@yahoo.com) or Michelle Wibbelsman at (512) 371-9128 (mwibbelsman@yahoo.com). For information about Texas Folklife, call (512) 441-9255 or visit our Web site at www.texasfolklife.org.

The program is made possible in part through funding from the National Endowment for the Arts, Humanities Texas and Texas Folklife Resources. Texas Folklife’s residency programs are designed to educate the public about Texas folk traditions by highlighting extraordinary local talent in rural communities throughout the state. Texas Folklife is a non-profit cultural organization that serves Texas folk artists and their audiences by helping to present and promote a diverse and living artistic heritage for all Texans.

Quinta Mazatlan Call for Artists and Artesans

Quinta Mazatlan the new world birding center in McAllen is having a grand openning for the general public May 6, 2006. Mayra Brown with McAllen's Art House will chair the Quinta Mazatlan Market Place where artists and arteseans will be able to sell their goods. The event will take place May 6, 2006 at Quinta Mazatlan in McAllen from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. The cost to the artist will be $50.00 per booth that includes one 8 ft table covered. If anyone is interested, please contact Mayra Brown at 956-490-5507 or email me at arthouse1009@sbcglobal.net.

Musicians are also sought…of course other arrangements will have to be done with the musicians… thousands of people will be there that day to hear you and see your craft.

Ivan Xavier Ramirez Photography

Artist Directory

The Art of Brownsville is collecting an artist directory to publish on our website. The artist directory will basically feature contact and reference info about local artists. To be on the directory you must provide all of the following information:

Name: (First, Last)
Location: (ex. live in Brownsville, Texas)
City of Origin: (ex. raised in Matamoros, Tamps.)
Art Medium: (ex. Painting, Sculpture, Video Art, Installation, Multi-media, Ceramics, etc..)
Email:
Webpage: (must have atleast one picture of original work)

Artists must live or originate from the Rio Grande Valley/Tamaulipas Frontera and must have a current email and online gallery. Phone #'s and Mailing Addresses will only be provided to inquirers by personal request to the artist, at the discretion of the artist.

If you do not have an email please consider using any of the free services available with any of the following sites: Hotmail, Yahoo or Gmail (by far The Art of Brownsville favorite...if you cannot get a hold of an invite or mobile phone, email The Art of Brownsville for a Gmail invite).

A online gallery or webpage is also required. Currently, the Art of Brownsville cannot maintain a gallery service through our website (though definitely a goal in the works), so we will need the artists to provide a visual reference for their work. Links to online articles, online picture albums and blogs with pictures are okay. Personal, non-art oriented blogs, albums or webpages (such as MySpace, Friendster, ect...) are not permitted. If you would like to create an artist webpage consider using any of the following simple to use sites:

Blogger
Flickr
World Wide Arts Resources
ArtistPortfolio.net
Espectro
AbsoluteArts.com

To join The Art of Brownsville Directory send an email with the requested information to artofbrownsville@gmail.com.

Strengthening Arts Curriculum in Reforming Education

An interesting and valuable letter to the editor from Texas Senator Eddie Lucio advocating arts education was published in The Brownsville Herald on April 5th, 2006.

Here are some snippets:

..."Chairwoman Victoria Hodge Lightman of the Texas Commission on the Arts says, “We continue to see evidence that students involved in arts education programming perform better academically, are more likely to graduate and have fewer discipline problems than students without access to arts education programs. Unfortunately, we also see continued reduction in access to arts education as budgetary cuts result in the elimination of quality arts programming from our schools...”

"..Stanford University and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching discovered in their study that the arts develop skills and habits of mind that are important for workers in the new “Economy of Ideas” (Alan Greenspan). Their findings link arts education with economic realities, asserting that young people who learn the rigors of planning and production in the arts will be valuable employees in the idea-driven workplace of the future..."

"...We need to fund public education fairly and equitably. We need to reduce the heavy burden of taxes on property owners. We need to give teachers pay raises. We need to expand facilities funding to build badly needed schools, gymnasiums, libraries and other edifices critical to a well-rounded education. We need to determine the best way to educate our children and reduce dropout rates. And somewhere in this heavy mix, we must do all we can to see that arts education remains or becomes a required segment of public education in Texas...”

TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE.

***

Want to support arts curriculum in our public schools? Here is a way to start...attend any of the events listed on the BISD Fine Arts Spring Schedule.

NBC-TV 23 Call for Art and Poetry

NBC 23 is working on putting together a small publication called "The Art of Healing". The publication will feature art and poetry by valley artists and supported by advertising, mainly from the medical community. The publications will be distributed for free.

To participate:
Art Submission - paintings, photography and sculpture
Email a print quality digital image of your piece to the.wendy.lady@gmail.com
subject line: Art of Healing
Title & medium
where you live
website, email or phone contact information
please also feel free to include a short statement about yourself and/or the piece.

Poetry Submission
Email me a copy of your poem preferably in Word to the.wendy.lady@gmail.com
subject line: Art of Healing
where you live
website, email or phone contact information
please also feel free to include a short statement about yourself and/or the poem.

Deadline for submission is May 1, 2006.
If you have any questions email Wendy Gilbert.

BISD Fine Arts Events

Mark your calendars for the following Spring Brownsville Independent School District Fine Arts Events. Let's support our local young artists and performers!

April 28, 2006
“Middle School Art Competition”
Brownsville Museum of Fine Art
230 Neale Dr.
4:00 – 6:00 pm

May 5, 2006
“A Night of Percussion”
High School Drumlines
Sam’s Stadium
7:30 pm

May 8-12, 2006 “Fine Arts Festival”
Middle & High School Fine Arts Students
Jacob Brown Auditorium
7:00 pm
May 8 – Rivera Cluster
May 9 – Hanna Cluster
May 10 – Porter Cluster
May 11 – Lopez Cluster
May 12 – Pace Cluster

May 15, 2006 “High School Art Competition”
Brownsville Museum of Fine Art
230 Neale Dr.
4:00 – 6:00 pm

For more information, contact the BISD Fine Arts Department at 982-3730.

Annexation: Celebrating 150 years of Texas Statehood

Brownsville-The Brownsville Heritage Complex, located in historic downtown Brownsville, invites the public to view Annexation: Celebrating 150 Years of Texas Statehood, a Humanities Texas exhibition. The exhibit opens on April 10, 2006. The exhibition at the Brownsville Heritage Complex is made possible through the support of the Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation.

Texans enjoy a special status because their state was once an independent republic, a nation among nations. This fame, however, was more or less thrust upon Texas by political issues that occupied the United States, Mexico, and various European nations for almost a full decade following the Texas revolution. It was not until 1845 that U.S. support for the doctrine of “manifest destiny” brought about the annexation that an overwhelming majority of Texans had so fervently desired.

This fascinating story has been told through an exhibition of original documents and artifacts organized by the Capitol Complex Visitors Center in Austin; and it is now retold for all Texans to view in a traveling photo-panel exhibit organized and circulated by the Humanities Texas.

Annexation: Celebrating 150 Years of Texas Statehood is designed for humanities projects that focus not merely on Texas history but on the mythic power of events that help define a community, state, or nation and on the ways in which people learn history. The photo-and-text panel exhibit was produced by THRC with support from the Humanities Texas.

The exhibit will be on view until April 29, 2006. The exhibit is included with the cost of general admission to the Brownsville Heritage Museum. General admission is always free for Brownsville Historical Association members.

The Brownsville Heritage Complex is managed by the Brownsville Historical Association. The Heritage Complex is located at 1325 E. Washington in Brownsville. The Brownsville Heritage Complex includes The Stillman House Museum, The Brownsville Heritage Museum, The Aiken Education Center, and the Heritage Resource Center.

For more information please call 956-541-5560 or visitwww.brownsvillehistory.org.

The Poor Man's Printing Press Seeks Space

Museo {i}menos is currently looking for spaces in the Rio Grande Valley and the bordering Frontera Tamaulipas to host its monthly stencil Making workshop entitled

The Poor Man's Portable Printing Press

We have had three in Hidalgo county already, with two of them in Donna, Tx. , and the first in Weslaco. We have had more offers in Hidalgo County but we really want to spread the workshop around to allow more people to participate. We are seeking alternative spaces, ideally residences, public parks, colonias or social activist groups.

We are not really considering museums, galleries, or public libraries because we are in effect an outreach program.

So if any of you would like to host a workshop, or know of someone who might, outside of Hidalgo County {but in the RGV or Front. Tamps area} in an alternative space, then contact the Museo so that we can get the ball rolling...

Mil Gracias,

René Z. Garza
--
René Z. Garza
Museo {i}menos
623 S. Indiana Ave.
Weslaco,TX
78596 USA
1.956.534.1997
museoimenos@gmail.com
¡ Para los que hacen mas con menos !

Call for Mail Art

Museo {i}menos is launching a call for mail art for its official inauguration on AUGUST 8th 2006. The site for the inauguration is to be determined closer to the opening date. The site will be from the geographic center of the Rio Grande Valley and the bordering Frontera Tamaulipas.

We have been collecting Mail Art from all over the world to be exchanged for Art from The Rio Grande Valley, TX and the bordering Frontera Tamaulipas .

365 Openings… is a Mail Art Exhibit pulling from Mail Art's Eternal Network. RGV and Front Tamps residents can exchange their own Mail Art and postage for original Mail Art from around the globe, during the event. This is an exhibit that truly belongs to the people. It is our goal here to create art correspondence with this area and the rest of the world for future collaboration. It is free and fair trade/exchange of culture and ideas. It is a globalization from below .

As is the case with mail art: no juries, no fees, no returns, & no social control!

DOCUMENTATION PROVIDED TO ALL WHO PARTICIPATE.

Deadline: JULY 28th, 2006

To participate send Mail Art Submission to: 365 OPENINGS ...
Museo {i}menos
623 S. Indiana Ave.
Weslaco, TX 78596
USA

Museo {i}menos is a different kind of museum without walls, formal attire or admission fees. We pop up wherever we can and even in some places that we can not. Museo {i}menos is a work of art. We are an independent arts museum currently developing mail art and stencil art events, collections and workshops (but many more independent arts exist and need to be included). Our goal is to make art public and the only real way to do that is to have the public produce its own art. It is only through active participation that art becomes truly public.

McAllen Art Walk

Every first Friday of the month from September through May.
Free Admission.

UTB Student Juried Exhibition

The 2006 UTB Juried Student Exhibition

Opens March 28, 2006 and closes April 13, 2006
at the Richardson Gallery /UTB Campus/ Art Building upstairs

80 Fort Brown
Brownsville, TX

For more information
call (956) 882-7097

The Vagina Monologues in Brownsville!

The Offices of Dean of Students & International Services are proud to present

"THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES"
by Eve Ensler

Day: Wednesday, March 8
(International Women's Day)

Time: 7pm
(informal Q&A forum and reception will follow)

Where: Science and Engineering Technology Building Lecture Hall (UTB/TSC)
80 Fort Brown
Brownsville, Texas

Cost: $3, all proceeds will go to Friendship of Women, Inc., a Violence and Sexual Assault Crisis Center in the Brownsville community

What is V-Day?
A global movement to stop violence against women and girls through education and awareness. V-Day helps anti-violence organizations throughout the world continue and expand their core-work on the ground while drawing public attention to the larger fight to stop worldwide violence (including rape, battery, incest, female genital mutilation and sexual slavery) against women and girls.

For more information:

V-Day: www.vday.org
Friendship of Women, Inc.: (956) 544-7412
UTB/TSC V-Day 2006: irma.pacheco@utb.edu or visit UTB/TSC Cardenas Hall North 103-H

An Evening of Culture at the BHC

The Brownsville Heritage Complex presents An Evening of Culture: History, Herstory, and Heritage through grant from the RGV Arts Council

Brownsville-The Brownsville Heritage Complex, located in historic downtown Brownsville, was recently awarded a grant from the McAllen Chamber of Commerce/Rio Grande Valley Arts Council in support ofWomen's History Month programming.

Through the grant support, the Brownsville Heritage Complex is proud to present An Evening of Culture: History, Herstory and Heritage, scheduled for Saturday, March 4, 2006 from 6:00 to 9:00. The event is scheduled in honor of National Women's History Month. The event is free and open to the public.

An Evening of Culture is a historical, cultural, educational art exhibition and programs that feature the history and stories ofwomen in Brownsville, the Rio Grande Valley, and Texas in an evening of art, music, dance and food. The event will open with a dance performance by Brazos Rio Grande School of Dance, a dance group that is comprised of young women who are known for interpreting original dances based on the folk stories and legends of the region. The dances will focus on women's topics. One example of a dance they perform is La Llorona.

An Evening of Culture continues with a musical presentation by Joe and Rosa Perez of Rumbo al'Anacua who will be performing 'Cultura con Cancion" songs of the ranches and of the Rio Grande Valley. Many of their songs will focus on the experiences ofwomen.

A component food installation called 'WomenofTaste" will feature a variety of traditional and favorite dishes of Brownsville women. Along with their favorite dishes, interpretive material about the women who cooked the food will be featured. This presentation of the food will be a unique way of telling the Brownsville woman's history.

The feature exhibition for the month is 'Revelations of Lylith and Eve," a collection of visual art by ten women artists living in the Rio Grande Valley. Each art piece tells a story of the woman who created it. The exhibition challenges the viewer by dispelling common notions about art produced by women while describing the artists' thoughts, experiences, and observations. The exhibition is curated by local artist and Brownsville Heritage Complex Public Program Coordinator, Aleida Garcia Wedgworth.

The Brownsville Heritage Complex also provides a permanent exhibition about Brownsville women throughout the year.

Through this event, the Brownsville Heritage Complex hopes to introduce and promote an appreciation for the contributions of local women artists and community women. The event will also provide an opportunity for residents of the Rio Grande Valley to travel to and experience historic downtown Brownsville.

Additional support for the event is provided through the Brownsville Society for Performing Arts.

The Brownsville Heritage Complex is located in historic downtown Brownsville at 1325 E. Washington St. The Brownsville Heritage Complex includes The Stillman House Museum, The Brownsville Heritage Museum, The Aiken Education Center, and the Heritage Resource Center.

For more information please call 956-541-5560 or email info@brownsvillehistory.org or visit www.brownsvillehistory.org

The Chupacabra Chronicles Exhibition

Tuesday, February 21, 2006
6:30 p.m.
$3.00 admission

UTB/TSC Fine Arts Professor and Artist Carlos G. Gomez will have his artwork displayed at the Richardson Gallery, Feb. 21- March 23, 2006. The opening reception will be this Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.
http://blue.utb.edu/artgallery/March.htm

Richardson Gallery
UTB/TSC Art Building
80 Fort Brown, Brownsville TX

Amigos Artistas' Saul Kaminer Exhibition

Carmen Lomas Garza

This Thursday, February 2, 2006

10:00 A.M.

The University of Texas At Brownsville

El Gran Salon-Student Union

80 Fort Brown

Brownsville, TX

Ms. Carmen Lomas Garza, Chicana Artist, will be the speaker for Professional Women Speak at the UTB/TSC Main campus. She has published two books and has received numerous awards. One of her paintings is part of the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s permanent collection.

The lecture is open to everyone that wishes to learn about art career opportunites from this successful woman's experience. For more information click here..http://blue.utb.edu/newsandinfo/2006_01_25LomasCarmen.htm

SUAP Fest 06 (Shut Up And Paint) Graffitti Festival

SUAP Fest 06 (Shut Up And Paint) Graffitti Festival

February 4th, 2006
"La Plazita Park" Donna, Texas
All Day
Free For Everyone!

Directions: If coming from McAllen exit Salinas Blvd. Turn Right (South)
past Bus.83 First stop light turn Left (East) 3 blocks.
Contact: Anoldfiend@hotmail.com or visit Writerzalley.com for more info.

Live Music!
...two of the hottest djs bringin' you the illest underground hip hop in a hot minute!

FUSE from Edinburg
dj DABBLE from Weslaco
Live Grafitti!
...artists or vandals?

WIZDOM from kansas city/kansas
...and local valley artists
Museo {i}menos with a stencil making booth.
...also check out
Deep Thinkers
&
Dante Everglade
from Kansas City at the after party!

Sabores del Valle: Valentine's Day Edition

Brownsville- The Brownsville Heritage Complex in historic downtown Brownsville, invites the public to Sabores del Valle: Valentine's Day Edition (Flavors of the Valley), a series of workshops on various desserts of the Rio Grande Valley.

The classes are $5 per person. In the class, participants will learn how to make desserts that can be used as Valentine's Day gifts. Participants will also receive the local recipes, as well as samples of the desserts. Reservations for the classes are encouraged.

The first workshop scheduled is scheduled for Saturday, February 4 at 10 am. It is entitled "Mexican Mini Chocolate Cakes and Chocolate Dipped Creations" The Chocolate Dipped Creations portion of the class will focus on pretzels and strawberries.

The second workshop is scheduled for Saturday, February 11 at 10 am. It focuses on "Chocolate Cheesecake and Mold Your Own Chocolate Candies." In this workshop, participants will take their own mold home!

Local artist Jessica Villescaz teaches the workshops. She is a valley native completing her M.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in Anthropology at the University of Texas-Pan American.

Ms. Villescaz has studied and traveled throughout Mexico and South America. A member of the anthropological society, Lambda Alpha, Ms. Villescaz has presented lectures and traditional foods and crafts on Latin and Mesoamerican cuisine at various museums, including the International Museum of Art and Science in McAllen. Internationally, Ms. Villescaz has presented lectures and television interviews on pre-Colombian art and body modification.

The Sabores del Valle Series is a component of the public programming educational initiative of the Brownsville Heritage Complex. The Sabores del Valle Series focuses on the culinary heritage of the region.

The mission of the Brownsville Historical Association is to preserve and promote all things relating to the rich history of Brownsville, Texas, and its environs. The Brownsville Historical Association manages The Brownsville Heritage Complex, located at 1325 E. Washington St. in historic downtown Brownsville. The Brownsville Heritage Complex includes the Stillman House Museum, the Brownsville Heritage Museum, the Bruce Aiken Education Center, and the Heritage Resource Center. Museum hours are Tuesday-Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm. For more information on Brownsville Heritage Complex exhibitions and programs, please call 956-541-5560 or email info@brownsvillehistory.org.

TCA 40th Anniversary

The Texas Commission on the Arts (TCA) Rio Grande Valley office will present an exhibit featuring the work by local high school artist Victor Alvarez. The public is welcome to a reception for the young artist during the First Friday Art Walk in February. To learn more about Art Walk go here: http://www.nuevosantander.com/artwalk.htm.

Victor Alvarez is a gifted young artist and poet that resides in McAllen, Texas. He has a disabling medical condition that prevents him from walking or even holding up his head without help, and he spends much of his time on a ventilator. For 6 ½
years, he lived in a residence for the terminally ill. In 2002, a community of friends assumed responsibility for Victor's care, and he now lives in a family environment. Despite his physical challenges, Victor has a positive outlook on life and a passion to create. Currently a senior at McAllen High School, Victor is an A/B honor roll student and computer whiz kid. Victor looks forward to continuing his education and plans to pursue a career in graphic design.

Who: Texas Commission on the ArtsRGV office
What: Reception for artist Victor Alvarez
Where: 1418 Beech Avenue, Suite 101 (Inside The Village)
McAllen, Texas 78501
When: February 3, 2006
Time: 6pm 8pm; Viewing of exhibit will continue through 10pm.

Texas Commission on the Arts is a state agency charged with creating a receptive climate for the arts in Texas.

TCA Call for Artists

On January 13th, the Texas Commission on the Arts began accepting submissions for the new design concepts of both the state heirloom birth certificate and wedding anniversary certificate. All participating artists are required to be Texas residents and recognized for high levels of excellence in their discipline, including related degrees, job experience or participation in juried shows. The chosen artist(s) will receive a cash prize of $2,500 each. For further information regarding submission forms and contest requirements, please visit or call our offices at (512) 936-6559.

Imagenes Studio Masterpieces Art Show

Southern Junction: The Art of Lenard Brown

Brownsville-The Brownsville Heritage Complex, located in historic downtown Brownsville, invites the public the opening reception for the new exhibition, Southern Junction: The Art of Lenard Brown. The exhibition features contemporary art based on the Underground Railroad. The exhibit is organized in honor of Black History Month, which has been celebrated during the month of February since 1926.

The opening reception will take place on Thursday, February 2, 2006 at 6:30 p.m. The event is free to the public and everyone is invited to attend.

The subject of an established southern route in the Underground Railroad and how many slaves fled from Texas through Mexico is the subject of much historical speculation, as most of the focus on the Underground Railroad details the escape routes to Northern states. However, in recent years, Texas historians have taken up the subject in an effort to establish routes where slaves in Texas would have fled into Mexico.

The exhibit explores the idea of a Southern Junction of the Underground Railroad leading into Mexico. The exhibition also invites the viewers to contemplate how contemporary art can sometimes be influenced by historical topics.

The exhibition is particularly relevant in a border region, as those that crossed the Rio Grande did so in search of freedom, while today, many people continue to cross the river in search of a better life. The Southern Junction exhibition features prints and drawings by UTPA Professor Lenard Brown. Brown is a native of Henderson, Texas and he holds a BFA from Texas A&M Corpus Christi and an MFA from The Ohio State University.

Southern Junction will be on view in the Brownsville Heritage Museum through March 1, 2006. Admission to view the exhibit is included in the cost of admission to the Brownsville Heritage Museum ($2 per person). Admission is always free for Brownsville Historical Association members.

For more information please call 956-541-5560 or email info@brownsvillehistory.org.

"Nevin's History" Book Signing and Reception

Brownsville-The Brownsville Heritage Complex, located in historic downtown Brownsville, invites the public to a lecture, book signing and wine reception for Jim Sanderson, author of Nevin's History, a historical novel set in Brownsville. The event will take place on Thursday, February 16, 2006 at 6:30 p.m. The event is free to the public and everyone is invited to attend.

Nevin's History is a Novel of Texas and is touted as a sweeping saga of South Texas. It is published by the University of Texas Tech.

The turbulent lower Rio Grande Valley of the 1870s is the backdrop of this epic historical novel of romance, violence, and the struggle for civilization on the frontier. Against that backdrop, protagonist Andrew Nevin, newspaper reporter, Civil War draft dodger, informer, and self-professed coward, tells the story of three legendary figures: Texas Ranger John 'Rip" Ford and Lee H. McNelly and the bandit mayor of Matamoros, Juan Cortina. Along the way, Richard King, King Fisher, Ben Thompson, Jack Harris, Mark Twain and William Dean Howells make appearances. In fact, only two of the major characters are fictional. One fictional character is the narrator, Andrew Nevin, who puts his particular spin on his 'history."

In attempting to redeem himself by telling the history of the border wars, Nevin also chronicles the growth of San Antonio and the influence of civilization on South Texas at the end of one century and the beginning of another.

Of particular interest to Brownsville residents, Nevin's History was researched in Brownsville with the support of the Brownsville Historical Association. The first part of the novel briefly covers the Civil War in Brownsville and then looks at the border wards around the city after the Civil War.

Jim Sanderson is professor of English at Lamar University, Beaumont, Texas. He is the author of three other novels—La Mordida, Safe Delivery, and El Camino del Rio-a short story collection, and a collection of essays on West Texas, and his short stories have appeared in ten anthologies. He is a member of the Texas Institute of Letters.

The Brownsville Heritage Complex is located at 1325 E. Washington in Brownsville. The Brownsville Heritage Complex includes The Stillman House Museum, The Brownsville Heritage Museum, The Aiken Education Center, and the Heritage Resource Center.

For more information please call 956-541-5560 or email info@brownsvillehistory.org.

ProCantus Lyric Opera Auditions

ProCantus Lyric Opera of McAllen will be holding auditions for major roles in Cavalleria Rusticana by Mascagni including Santuzza, Turiddu, Alfio, Mamma Lucia and Lola.

Audition is by appointment only on Sunday, January 22, 2006 from 10:30AM to 2:30PM. Bring an aria of your choice and prepared excerpts from the Cavalleria Rusticana.

Performance dates will be at 8:00PM on Saturday, March 25, 2006 and 3:00PM, Sunday March 26, 2006 at McAllen Civic Center.

For audition time and place call: (956) 236-4588, (956)783-9867, (956) 872-3037

RGV Food Bank Ceramic Bowls Fundraiser

The RGV foodbank is looking for donations of small bowls from artists for an upcoming fundraiser. All ceramicists and student ceramicists are invited to pledge their support to the first Empty Bowls event by donating one bowl. Any bowls are welcome. Deadline (for cataloging purposes) on these donated items is Friday, February 24. Please consider being part of this. The event's media blitz will include mentions of those individuals involved and we are having an artistic commemorative poster designed to recognize those in this first-of-its-kind-here event. The Monitor is on board and they will do profiles on the artists who have pledged their support. Many thanks for any help you and your students and artists can give.

For more information contact:
Alicia Nevárez-Warner, Multimedia Specialist
Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley, Inc.
2601 West Zinnia
McAllen, Tx, 78502
Office (956) 682-8101, ext. 22
Mobile (956) 227-2884

Brownsville Museum of Fine Art Website

Check out the new Brownsville Museum of Fine Art website:

www.brownsvillemfa.org

You are also invited to attend a presentation "A Founders’ Tribute” on the history of the Brownsville Museum of Fine Art. It will be presented by Javier Garcia on Monday, January 23rd at 12pm in the Art Gallery Building on 230 Neale Dr. For more information call (956) 542-0941 or email bamuseum@aol.com.

Honor Soul Force

"Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred. We must ever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force."-Martin Luther King

National Endowment for the Arts Grants

NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS is pleased to announce that application guidelines for FY 2007 grants are now available on-line at www.arts.gov.

The National Endowment for the Arts is a federal agency dedicated to supporting excellence in the arts - both new and established, bringing the arts to all Americans, and providing leadership in arts education. Annually, the agency awards more than $100 million in matching grants to non-profit organizations in all 50 States. In FY 2005, the agency awarded at least one direct grant in all Congressional districts.

The Arts Endowment awards grants to non-profit organizations for arts projects that are of national, regional, or field-wide significance; that tour in several states; or that provide an unusual or especially valuable contribution because of geographic location. Grants are awarded also for local projects that can have significant effects within communities or that are likely to serve as program models.

Arts Endowment funding is available for projects in the following fields: Dance, Design, Folk & Traditional Arts, Literature, Media Arts (Film, Radio, Television), Museums, Music, Musical Theater, Opera, Presenting, Theater and Visual Arts. The Endowment also awards grants to local and State Arts Agencies and to Regional Arts Organizations.

Funding Categories

Access to Artistic Excellence: Projects that foster and preserve excellence in the arts and provide access to the arts for all Americans. An organization may request a matching grant from $5,000 to $150,000. Application deadlines: March 13, 2006 and August 14, 2006. (See Guidelines to determine which deadline pertains to which type of project.)

Challenge America: Reaching Every Community Fast-Track Review Grants: Grants for projects that extend the reach of the arts to underserved populations. Matching grants are for $10,000. Application deadline: June 1, 2006.

Learning in the Arts for Children and Youth: Projects that enhance the quality of, and access to, arts education for children and youth. Matching grants are from $5,000 to $150,000. Application deadline: June 12, 2006.

For Application Assistance
Please direct constituents to www.arts.gov/grants/apply to download application information, application forms and application deadlines. The website includes "frequently asked questions" and names and phone numbers of Endowment staff to answer questions about the application process. Examples of recent grants can be found at www.arts.gov/grants/recent. There is now also the option to apply via grants.gov.

If Congressional staffers have questions, please call the Endowment's Office of Government Affairs at 202-682-5434 or email Shana Chase at chases@arts.gov or Mike Burke Kirby at kirbym@arts.gov.

If you are alerting constituents to funding opportunities, please note that grant competitions are also conducted by each State Arts Agency and Regional Arts organization. To identify their addresses and contact information, go to the Endowment's website, click on NEA Partners, then State and Regional Arts Organizations.

To do a mailing, your State Arts Agency may have a list of arts organizations by Congressional district through www.arts.gov/partner/state/SAA_RAO_list.html. There is also a page below that you may want to produce and enclose to guide them through our website.

The National Endowment for the Arts' website (www.arts.gov) has a wealth of information useful to organizations seeking funding for arts projects:

* Go to www.arts.gov/grants/apply. Click on your discipline or field. Click on a funding opportunity. (Grants for Arts Projects covers all but some specialized categories.) You will find all the relevant information and forms, including the phone numbers for the Agency's professional staff, descriptions of recent grants that may be similar to your project, lists of panelists who reviewed previous applications, and Frequently Asked Questions.

* Click on Resources on the NEA home page to find many other sources of help and funding, including the State Arts Agencies, other federal agencies, grants.gov, and numerous non-profits and foundations.

* Grants.gov is the government-wide on-line application system for federal grants. We encourage organizations to use the grants.gov system. Applying online will be optional for most FY 2007 applicants but is expected to become mandatory in calendar year 2008. In order to submit an application electronically, an organization must first register through grants.gov. Since registration can take weeks to complete and to process, do not wait until the application deadline to register. Register well in advance.

* Since 2003, the National Endowment for the Arts has sponsored National Initiatives that award grants for arts presentations in all 50 States with educational outreach activities and free curriculum materials for teachers. To learn more about current National Initiatives, go to the NEA home page to access: American Masterpieces: Three Centuries of Artistic Genius; THE BIG READ; Great American Voices Military Base Tour; NEA Jazz Masters/NEA Jazz in the Schools; Poetry Out Loud: National Poetry Recitation Contest; and Shakespeare in American Communities.

An Update, A Little Wisdom and A Call for Contributors

Hello Blog Readers,

I know, I know...it's been a while and I know it's been a while because it has been quiet. I also know I am going to say the blogger cliche excuse..."I've been busy"...but...I really have been busy! This past month my prime energies have been focused on work and on myself for a change...like getting exercise and getting some much needed rest after a heck of a semester/year.

I do wish to extend my sincerest wishes for a Feliz Año Nuevo (Happy New Year) to you and your loved ones and hope you had a wonderful holiday season! 2005 was quite a ride of year but we have much to look forward to for 2006! It seems like these days, life can offer us much to see it as the glass half-empty, but reality is...it is at it SEEMS. In other words, despite the good and the bad, you decide as to how it will affect you and your attitude towards life and towards other people. You have a choice and the power to make the right decision. A positive decision resides in you and you alone. For example, a recent CNBC Online Poll found that 53% of Americans are pessimistic about the year 2006. I say they are setting themselves up to get exactly what they expect. The concrete truth (as far as I can tell for now) is that we only get one life to live and there are only two ways to go through it, with hope or without hope. So despite all the shit that life throws our way, it's really up to us to become victims or to overcome it and move on. Got it? Good. I know, I can get a little preachy (it's my Southern Baptist upbringing), but...this wisdom came from recent experience...that I had to learn the REALLY, REALLY hard way...I REALLY know what I am saying and not just repeating Dr. Phil. Also, you have to love yourself, from the bottom of the pit to the top of heap...don't wait until you feel worthy of it...love yourself no matter where you are in life. Because if you can't do this essential thing, then everything I mentioned above has no heck of a chance of being accomplished. So again...if you want to have a Happy New Year...make it so!

On another note, the plans for the renovation of The Art of Brownsville is still on hold. The main thing is...the blog and future full-blown website needs work and time from volunteer contributors. I want people to share their pictures, share their web or design expertise, share their marketing or networking expertise, to share their stories, share their art and share their opinions on all that is art and culture of Brownsville and the greater RGV/Tamapulipas region. If you would like to contribute to the Art of Brownsville leave a comment on this post or send me an email. Thanks guys for reading the blog and for all of your support! We will be posting more information on events and activities as well posting on topics so keep coming back! 2006 if going to be a great year!

The Poor Man's Portable Printing Press

Museo {i}menos presents…
The Poor Man's Portable Printing Press
(a stencil making workshop)
 
Museo {i}menos and founder René Z.Garza  (956.534.1997), Museoimenos@gmail.com

The workshop includes a brief history of the stenciled image and basic stencil making techniques. You can make your own images, freely and ready to reproduce, using this historic, democratic art. We will also make a collective work of art for future exhibition.

The stencil making workshop will be held
Sunday , January 22, 2006
1:30 – 4:30
Weslaco Public Library Meeting Room,
525 S. Kansas Avenue
Weslaco, Texas 78596

This is the first of twelve monthly workshops in 2006 held by the Museo to promote independent arts and independent arts practice (that is to say art with very little resources). Donations are accepted but not required to take part in Museo {i}menos activities. It is our goal to make artistic practice accessible to everyone.

To participate you will need to attend with posterboard, an exacto-type knife, a can of spray paint and something to paint your image on. Also, {i}menos will lend you materials or they may be purchased as they are available.

Museo {i}menos is a different kind of museum without walls, formal attire or admission fees. We pop up wherever we can and even in some places that we can not. Museo {i}menos is a work of art.  We are an independent arts museum currently developing mail art and stencil art events, collections and workshops (but many more independent arts exist and need to be included). Our goal is to make art public and the only real way to do that is to have the public produce its own art. It is only through active participation that art becomes truly public.

 Museo {i}menos  ¡Para los que hacen mas con menos!

TCA Performing Arts Grant Opportunities

Texas Commission on the Arts to accept performing artists/companies application for Touring Roster

Deadline to apply is Jan. 31st. If you already have a user id and password, you will log into the TCA Online Web Applications. If you do not have user id and password, please call our main office at 1800-252-9415 to request a user id and password to apply. Please read below for application guidelines and a link is provided with more information.

Applicants may be any Texas performing arts organization or artist wishing to present performances at least thirty miles outside their city of residence. Applicants must have a history of touring and maintain a reasonable fee range. Roster artists are required to perform outside their community regularly. Touring artists offer single performances as well as optional services that may include workshops, master classes, lecture-demonstrations, arts education components, residencies, or short performances. The fact that an artist is approved to the roster does not imply or guarantee that the artist will receive bookings in the coming year.

http://www2.arts.state.tx.us/tcagrant/TXArtsPlan/TRC.htm

***

Mia M. Buentello-Andrade
Administrator of Community Development & Rural Svcs.
Texas Commission on the Arts-RGV Office
Office 956-682-5336; Email mia@arts.state.tx.us

"When you do things from your soul, you feel a river moving in you, a joy."--Jelaluddin Rumi

NMCAC "El Second Weensdee"

The Narciso Martinez Cultural Arts Center presents

"El Second Weensdee"
featuring

Los Dos Gilbertos
Gilberto Garcia and Ruben Garza

Wednesday, January 11, 2006
7:00 PM

at the historic
La Villita
261 W. Robertson
San Benito, TX

In the Rio Grande Valley, the conjunto sound of Los Dos Gilbertos reigns supreme. Led by vocalist/accordionist Gilberto Garcia and bajo sexto player Ruben Garza, Los Dos Gilbertos have developed into one of the most popular South Texas dance bands since they began performing in 1965. The group's sound is distinguished by their smooth and sultry compass, driving dance rhytms and the group's smooth vocal harmonies. Gilberto and Ruben will tell their story and perform at the next "Second Weensdee," this month to be held at the historic dance hall of San Benito - La Villita.

$5 admission

(956) 361-0110 NMCAC
(956) 276-0420 - La Villita

Update

Hola Folks! I do apologize that it has been a while and if I haven't been the best at responding to emails or posting. I have been some what bumming after finals. BUT...within the next couple of weeks do expect a major change to happen to The Art of Brownsville. So keep an eye open and please keep visiting cuz it's going to blow your mind!

NMCAC "El Second Weensdee"

The Narciso Martinez Cultural Arts Center presents

"El Second Weensdee"
'Nuestra Musica y Nuestras Costumbres'
Christmas Celebration
featuring
Jose Flores Peregrino
of Conjunto Aztlan
plus members of the Narciso Martinez Writer's Forum

This month's Second Weensdee will celebrate las navidades conjunto style. Jose Flores Peregrino is an accomplished poet, songwriter, musician and professor of English at Austin Community College, plus a bajo sexto player with the Austin and San Antonio - based Conjunto Aztlan. Enjoy his music and writing, plus local Christmas stories from members of the Narciso Martinez Writer's Forum. A reception and a Christmas open-mic session will follow the presentations.

Wednesday December 14, 2005
7:00 PM
225 E. Stenger Street
San Benito, Texas
(956) 361-0110
$4.00 admission

for more information CLICK HERE

BMFA Open House

There will be an Open House on Friday, December 16th at the Brownsville Museam of Fine art, 230 Neale Drive from 4-6 PM. The public will enjoy a demonstration by professioanal artist, Marilyn Brown. Ms Brown is known for her experimental and creative art workshops. She will give a demonstration of painting on Yupo paper. Yupo paper is a synthetic, non-absorbant paper developed primarily for outdoor graphics.

The presentation "Yippee it's Yupo" will take place at 5 p.m. and serve as an introduction to a three day experimental and creative workshop offered January 16, 16, and 18th, 2006. The cost of the workshop is $75 for members and $85 for non-members. Ms. Browns workshop is one that fills very quickly according to Carol DeMoss, Executive Director with the Brownsville Museum of Fine Art. "The Open House will be a chance for people to sign up early".

Ms. Brown has won several juried shows with her innovative works and has served as a judge in many art exhibits. The selection of handmade holiday ornaments are part of a silent auction at the Open House with proceeds supporting the Brownsville Museum of Fine Art's new facility under consturction at 7th and Ringgold. There will also be art on view and for sale from the collection of past members and visiting instructors. Their sales will also support the new facility.

For additional information, contact the Brownsville Museum of Fine Arts at (956) 542-0941

Stunning Strokes Art Exhibit 2nd Reception

RGV Christmas Events

THE CANTARE COMMUNITY YOUTH CHOIR WILL PRESENT ITS FIFTH ANNUAL CHRISTMAS MUSICAL TO ENTERTAIN AND DELIGHT THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY COMMUNITY!

WHO: Cantare Community Youth Choir
WHAT: Performance of “Miracle on Bethlehem Street”: A performance that captures the Christmas Story “in an unforgettable telling with fun and heart felt songs with delightful dialogue.”
WHEN: Saturday, December 10, 2005 at 7pm.
WHERE: Francisco G. Zarate Center for the Performing Arts, Rio Grande City, Texas
Cost: Tickets are $5.00 and may be purchased by contacting Ms. Reyna or any chorister.
Contact: Melissa Reyna, Director, 956-533-5791, cantarenotes@aol.com


Cantare is a nonprofit organization in Rio Grande City that has been providing the children of its community with quality music education.

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Laguna Madre Art League
Contact: Virginia Eggert
Box 791
Port Isabel TX
(956) 943-1153
virginiakeylargo@aol.com

A variety of two and three-dimensional artwork by local artists will be on display. Weaving, sculpture, jewelry, paintings in oils, watercolors, pastels and acrylics plus more will be on display by sixteen LMAL members. They include: Jeri Wilhelmi (paintings), Art Wilhelmi (photography), Gene Paull (photography, Dee Kreider (paintings), Tina Poucher (paintings), Tom Leeman (paintings), Dick Schmidt (computer art), Diane Hofmeister (jewelry), Sharon Campbell (paintings), Virginia Eggert (paintings). Roger Theriault (jewelry), Glenda Spinks (paintings), Christine Salazar (paintings), Judith McCarthy (paintings), Sandi Heir (paintings) and Lynn Speier (jewelry and weaving). $1 raffle tickets will be sold on a piece of artwork with the drawing on Sunday. The winner need not be present. Proceeds go to a P.I. High School Art Scholarship Fund. Admission is free and refreshments will be served. Give that perfect Christmas gift – the gift of art.

Who: Laguna Madre Art League
What: LMAL Christmas Art Show and Sale
Where: Port Isabel Community Center, located north of Highway 100 on Yturria Street behind the Public Library
When: Saturday, December 3rd from 10:00 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, December 4th from 10:00 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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El Paseo Arts Foundation of the Lower Rio Grande Valley
Contact Person: JoAnn Evans
956-772-9097
South Padre Island, TX.

Voice and piano concert highlight traditional holiday and contemporary music, featuring local artists, Joel Lamar Cruz, Deidra Ann Duron and Ruben Reyes. Concert attendees will also be treated to a reception with traditional holiday treats.

Who: El Paseo Arts Foundation of the Lower Rio Grande Valley
What: “Noel” a Holiday Concert
When: Saturday, December 17, 2005 at 7:00 p.m.
Where: the Chapel by the Sea, on South Padre Island.
Cost: are $20 per person and can be purchased by phone at 956-772-9097 or email at evansmnp@hotmail.com.

El Paseo is a newly formed Arts Foundation. The purpose of the Foundation is to encourage, support and promote the development of the arts for benefit and education of the communities of the Lower Rio Grande Valley. The Foundation’s first production of the one-act play “Postcards” in October was a great success, playing to a sold out house at the SPI Convention Center. The Foundation hopes to partner with other local arts groups on future productions for the area. El Paseo invites all the residents of the Rio Grande Valley to share this festive holiday celebration.

Stunning Strokes Encore Reception

We're happy to inform that the "Stunning Strokes" art exhibit has had great response from the public. The turnout on November 25, was so good that we've decided to have an encore reception December 16... back by popular demand! Toni Hudson, Antonio Antinori, Al Garza Jr., Claudia Garza de la Garza, Glenda Garza (Danda), Anahi Navarro, Dina Saldana, Eduardo Ibarra, Gabriel Trevino, Lucy Quezada, Christina Salazar and Melinda Moreno are among the artists exhibiting at the show. We've had wonderful interaction between the viewers and the artists. The show is ongoing up until December 23, so come by and check it out. It's a great way to help boost the appreciation of diversity in the art of Brownsville and it allows people to get to know who we are and why we do what we do. Let's continue to celebrate ART and get inspired while we're at it.

The Blog Turns Two!

A little late but just in time...but just wanted to say that today, Wednesday, November 30th, The Art of Brownsville celebrates its 2nd birthday! Yay! Two years...wow! Who knew it would come this far? Usually, blogs and consistency are not the best pair of qualities, so I am happy to say the this blog has kept up. I am also happy to have Lucy and Al on team and to have more responses from the community. I heard the attendance to Stunning Strokes was wonderful (I was in Mexico City) and I hope that you all may join us again on December 16th for the 2nd reception. The Herald also covered the exhibition in their Friday edition. Many thanks go out to The Herald for coverage and support they have given to the blog these past months!

Many wonderful things have occurred and will continue to escalate! My wish for the next year is for the blog to help foster more development in the Brownsville art community through unity and collaboration and to also look to and support our neighbors in Matamoros, Reynosa and all over the Valley! We are sitting on a well-spring of cultural and artistic wealth and inspiration! It just needs to be tapped! There is so much potential for local culture and art to be developed in a major tourist and entertainment industry through which we can substantially improve our quality of life. So like fellow Art of Brownsville blogger Al Garza Jr. said, "Let's work on it! Get inspired!"

* Work by Carmen Lomas Garza
Cumpleaños de Lala y Tudi (Lala and Tudi’s birthday), 1989, Lithograph, 22" x 30"

Brownsville Hertiage Museum Art Events

Mexican Folk Retablos: From the Jones Collection Exhibition opens at the Brownsville Heritage Complex on December 4th

Brownsville- The Brownsville Heritage Museum, located in the Brownsville Heritage Complex in historic downtown Brownsville, invites the public to the opening of Mexican Folk Retablos: From the Jones Collection, an exhibition of historic Retablos. The exhibition opens on Sunday, December 4th at 2pm. The exhibition is from the private collection of Joan Jones, who is an accredited member of the International Society of Appraisers and is a recognized expert in the field of 18th-19th century Mexican Colonial Art. Mexican Retablos are devotional paintings of various saints on tin and copper. A presentation on "The History of Mexican Retablos" by Joan Jones is scheduled for 2 p.m., with books on Mexican Folk Retablos available for purchase in the museum gift shop. A reception for the exhibition follows the presentation and is scheduled for 3 p.m. The presentation and reception are free and open to the public. Mexican Folk Retablos: From the Jones Collection will be on view at the Brownsville Heritage Museum through January 6, 2005 and is included with the cost of general admission to the Brownsville Heritage Museum. Admission is free for Brownsville Historical Association members.

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The Brownsville Heritage Complex to host Artful Holidays Exhibition as part of Artful Holidays Weekend

Brownsville- The Brownsville Heritage Museum, located in the Brownsville Heritage Complex in historic downtown Brownsville, invites the public the opening reception for Artful Holidays Exhibition on Sunday, December 4 at 3 pm. Admission is free to the public. Artful Holidays Exhibition will feature various artworks by local artists and is a unique opportunity to buy ceramic and steel sculptures, as well as paintings and prints. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the art will benefit the Brownsville Historical Association. Some of the artists participating in the exhibition are Cande Aguilar, Aleida Garcia, Jessica Salazar-McBride, Benjamin Varela, Brian Wedgworth, Beth Fedigan, Chris Leonard, and Dainty Lewis. Artful Holidays Exhibition is part of the Artful Holidays Weekend 2005 at the Brownsville Heritage Complex. Artful Holidays Weekend 2005 will feature various activities throughout the weekend at the Brownsville Heritage Complex. Some of the activities include Sabores del Valle workshop on "Citrus," Art Market, and Mexican Folk Retablos lecture and exhibition reception.

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The mission of the Brownsville Historical Association is to preserve and promote all things relating to the rich history of Brownsville, Texas, and its environs. The Brownsville Heritage Complex, located at 1325 E. Washington St. in historic downtown Brownsville, includes the Stillman House Museum, the Brownsville Heritage Museum and the Heritage Resource Center. Museum hours are Tuesday-Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm. For more information on Brownsville Heritage Complex exhibitions and programs, please call 956-541-5560 or email info@brownsvillehistory.org.

Los Artistas de Brownsville

The Art of Brownsville is pumping up for its 2nd cumpleaños (coming up Nov. 30th) and one main objective for this upcoming year is to support our local artists through more advocacy and promotion! To the right you can see local artists (left to right) Antonio Antinori Jr., Anahi Navarro, Dina Saldaña, Christina Salazar, Toni Hudson, Gabriel Treviño, Al Garza Jr. and Lucy Quezada showcasing their work at the Paseo de la Resaca Park Inauguration at the Brownsville Events Center on Sunday, November 13th 2005. For more pictures of the event and the artwork on display click here. You can also personally view most of these artist's artwork and meet them at the "Stunning Strokes" Exhibition this Friday, Nov. 25th from 7pm-9pm at Paseo Plaza.

You can also see photos of UTB graduate Sandesh Kadur's solo exhibit of photographs from his book Sahyadris: India’s Western Ghats – A Vanishing Heritage, currently on display at the beautiful and historic UTB/TSC Alonso Building. The photographs on display were taken by Kadur while he was filming the documentary "Sahyadris: Mountains of the Monsoon" for the Gorgas Science Foundation which was also broadcast on the Discovery Channel. To read Herald coverage on Kadur's exhibit click here. Visit Sandesh Kadur.com to learn more about his work in conservation, documentary film and photography.

Keep an eye out for more art and information about local artists and please feel free to give feedback on what you see and read on The Art of Brownsville.

McAllen Artwalk

Artists in McAllen, Texas are really doing their part when it comes to art. The Art Walk in McAllen is a great outlet for artists to convey their talents and help raise the importance of appreciation for the arts in their city. It not only benefits McAllen artists, but it benefits the entire art world. It was wonderful to feel a great sense of unity in the art community. There were several galleries, studios and restaurants collaborating efforts into one artistically diverse event. Seeing everything from bronze cast sculptures, in one part of town, to designer furniture in another part proved just how free and expressive art is in McAllen. Variety is the spice of life and the freedom expressed at the Art Walk allows people to become more observant and appreciative of the unrestricted diversity that the art world has to offer. I think It would be a wonderful idea to have something like this in Brownsville... so let’s work on it. Get inspired.

Brownsville Graffiti Artist Arrested

The Herald recently covered this story on the arrest of Brownsville graffiti artist Jose Guadalupe Gutierrez, whom was credited for the tag aliases "Slick", "slic", "Dose" and "2 1/2 K". If Gutierrez embodies all of these aliases or if the tags are of different artists or of a crew was not confirmed. While graffiti has been posted about in The Art of Brownsville, interestingly in the past week, I have received two contacts from readers in concern to Brownsvillle graffiti. While the graffiti scene has not hit big in Brownville in comparison to Hidalgo County, there has been a rise in higher forms of the style, ranging from aerosol, to stickers, to stencil mediums. While I do not condone acts of vandalism, the recent rise has been an aesthetic relief from the eye sore of gang graffiti.

What is neat about the article are the interesting comments by Gutierrez which signal an obvious need for artist support in the community :

“I’ve always wanted people’s attention by doing big stuff, and every time I would ask for permission, I would never get it,” he said. Give me a set of paint brushes, or give me a bucket of paint and I’ll be doing murals. I just don’t have the money or the paint.”

One of the readers asked for my thoughts on this recent event. I have plenty of thoughts on the complex and controversial subject and to read up on them check out the links below. Yet, what I would really like is for you to give your own thoughts on the matter. Share your thoughts and observations Brownsville! Graffiti, is it art? Is if right? Is it wrong? Where does it fit in Brownsville? What can be done? What needs to be done? Lover or hater, artist or critic, here is your forum to speak out!

TAOB Graffiti Posts:
Audrey Hepburn Tag
The Gates Vandalized
Some Early Observations
An Early Post

The Art of Brownsville Team

The Art of Brownsville welcomes two new bloggers to its team! Brownsville artists and muralists Lucy Quezada and Al Garza Jr. will be contributing to the blog by giving more insight and promotion on the Brownsville, Valley/Frontera art scene by sharing their experiences and viewpoints on art. You can currently view their murals at the Greyhound bus station in downtown Brownsville on St. Charles and 14th st and at the UTB ITEC center (formerly Amigoland Mall). Al and Lucy have proven themselves to be dedicated artists and supporters of the Brownsville art scene through their activism and insights so keep an eye out for more posts. Welcome to The Art of Brownsville Lucy and Al!
*Picture shows Greyhound mural behind muralists Al Garza, Lucy Quezada and UTB Art Professor Carlos Gomez

Support The Art of Brownsville

The Art of Brownsville is itching to grow and needs your support! You can help expand the already free resources and information the blog provides through monetary donations. All donations, big and small, would only be used towards the costs of creating, maintaining and marketing an online arts and culture resource that will help put our local communties on the map! Donations, big and small are welcomed. All donors will be recognized on the blog and the completed website. The Art of Brownsville is a complete volunteer effort. We work on this blog because we are passionate about art and we are passionate about our corner of the world which we feel deserves more credit! So become a part of el movimiento today and donate, or better yet, activate!

Learn About Jeremy Blake

My first impressions of Jeremy Blake’s work came from within a dark make shift theatre at the Blanton Museum of Art. I sat, bored and yet visually fixated on Jeremy Blake’s “time-based painting” Winchester, a digital video montage of images of the Winchester House, the mysterious Gothic mansion Heiress Sarah Winchester built to defend herself from the ghosts of people who were killed by the rifle. I was transfixed by the morphing images of the mansion, rifles, huntsmen, ink blots and abstracted colors ranges, but after 20 minutes I felt frustrated by the lack of any climatic release. I found the piece to be dreary and slow and likened it to a glorified screensaver.

Then a few weeks later, Jeremy Blake gave a lecture about his piece and his upcoming work on the film Punch-Drunk Love, in which his “time-based paintings” would be used through out the film as “hallucination sequences to represent the main character’s whirl of emotions at key points in the plot.” His explanation of abstraction as a technique of narrative caught my interest since it is not often used in sequential media such mainstream film. He also stated that he preferred to be a called a painter because he feels his paintings have “the sensitivity to form and color that one associates with traditional painting - even if he uses pixels and programs instead of oil paint.” After hearing the artist himself, I decided to approach his art with a different attitude. Unlike film, his time-based paintings have no imposed limitations of a plot or time frame because they are played in a continuous loop and they even transcend the limitations of traditional abstract painting. It is best described by Bill Davenport of Glasstire.com: "In a way, Blake's videos do what abstract painting always wanted to, but better. Relieved of the weight of history and the hackneyed romanticism of high art, they are the realization of Kandinsky's dream: stories told in an abstract language of shapes and colors, free to express mystical, spiritual forces and feelings directly, without the mundane literalness of representation."

Blake’s Punch-Drunk Love abstractions are more than representational imagery; it is an active character in the film, helping set the atmosphere and interacting with the narrative of the film. I came to appreciate Blake’s work by breaking down the limitations of my own expectations of sequential media. It is still a challenge to put those expectations aside from which I can understand why Jeremy Blake would prefer to be called a painter. He wants his work to be seen as an evolution of painting and not to be instantly categorized as another video art piece because then it will be judged as such, disregarding the actual context of his time-based painting style.

Research Sources:
Punch-Drunk Love and Jeremy Blake
Creative Time, Essay by Jeremy Blake
Acrylic: Contemporary Art Criticism
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Personal Note: I wrote this small essay up for my current art course. I thought you all might like to learn about Jeremy Blake. He is not a Valley artist but I think it's also important to keep ourselves informed of what's going on outside the community and step outside the box. I also hope that as I become more acquainted with the Valley art scene, I may be able to write more posts about local artists and their work. If you are an artist and want to see something about you on The Art of Brownsville send a few pictures, a statement and bio my way via email and voila! Until then, I will also continue to share as much information that I can provide about art.

Matamoros.com

The Art of Brownsville would like to extend gratitude to www.Matamoros.com for it's generous support of the blog through its outgoing links to the blog and recent news coverage. Matamoros has been and will always be an important component of what makes Brownsville so special, and vice versa...one without the other makes no sense because the interaction and exchanges between both cities is so synonymous. For someone to say otherwise has been living in a box and needs to visit Matamoros more often. My favorite draw to Matamoros...cafe lecheros at Cafe Paris, El Mejor Taco con Chicho next to Domino's, El Mercado, Thursday nights cultural events at the Main Plaza and El Museo de Arte Contemporaneo de Tamaulipas..and more!

So in view of this, I gave Matamoros.com a more indepth exploration and I was outstanded with the resources the site has available. Check out their webcams that keep a constant vigilance over the state of traffic on the Mexican side of the Bridges. They also have an awesome page dedicated to Matamoros artists with pictures, bios and statements about the artists. This site is just packed! I encourage you to give Matamoros.com a visit and to explore its many nooks and crannies that bring you an array of information on Matamoros.