(Image: “Con un Alacran,” Adriana Maria Garcia)
“The University of Texas at San Antonio Works from the Permanent Collection,” a new exhibition from the renowned UTSA Art Collection, will be on display at the UTSA Institute of Texan Cultures from March 30 to January 29, 2024. The new exhibit includes works from 12 artists, comprising paintings, photography, prints, and tapestry.
“Art disseminates information and inspires imagination. The artists in this exhibit exemplify the power of that creativity,” said Arturo Infante Almeida, UTSA Art Collection curator. “Art is vital because it tells stories that inspire and educate. San Antonio has a world-class thriving art scene. This exhibit is a chance to see work in the UTSA collection and to learn more about the artists.”
Nesbitt, “Yellow Orchid”
The exhibit’s opening wall features Lowell Nesbit’s “Yellow Orchid.” The United States Postal Service featured Nesbit’s floral paintings on stamps, and in the late 1960s, NASA commissioned him to commemorate the Apollo 9 and 13 space missions.
Other well-known artists who are part of the permanent collection exhibit include Shepard Fairey and Jimmy Canales. The exhibit will include a screen print from Fairey’s ICA Retro Series. Fairey is best known for the red, white, and blue illustration of Barak Obama, held in the U.S. National Portrait Gallery collection. Canales’ “Popo Bronco” is the only tapestry in the exhibition. Canales, a lecturer at Texas State University in San Marcos, used traditional Mexican zarape fabric to create this vibrant piece of artwork. Albert Gonzales, Ron Adams, Graciela Iturbide, Elliott Erwitt, John Hoyland, Thomas Walsh, Alexander Calder, Adriana Maria Garcia and Larry Chappelear round out the artists whose works will be on display.
Canales, “Popo Bronco”
The university holds some 3,000 artworks in its permanent collection, including paintings, sculptures, prints, photography, and work in other media. Displayed throughout the UTSA campuses, the collection is an invaluable educational resource and brings vibrance and cultural enrichment to the buildings students often use.
As UTSA’s art specialist, Almeida has spent years curating the university’s art collection. There is an endowment in his name to maintain, grow, and promote the UTSA Art collection, support related research activities, and expand community engagement.
“UTSA Works from the Permanent Collection” is open for public viewing during regular ITC hours, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Thursday through Sunday, at the UTSA Institute of Texan Cultures. Admission is by donation.
Explore Further
Take a virtual walkthrough of the exhibition.
Learn more about the UTSA Art Collection
Donate to The Arturo Infante Almeida UTSA Art Collection Endowment