Summertime is the perfect season to visit the Art Museum of South Texas (AMST). The sun is shining, the flowers are in full bloom, and Corpus Christi Bay is teeming with life. With its unique location by the bay, the Art Museum of South Texas offers stunning views and a diverse range of exhibitions and programs that are sure to captivate visitors of all ages.
This summer AMST will host two major traveling exhibitions. The first comes to the Museum from Riverside California. Collidoscope: de la Torre Brothers Retro-Perspective is a collaboration between the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of the American Latino (NMAL) and The Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art & Culture of Riverside Art Museum. Additional support for the national tour has been generously provided by NMAL. The exhibition features art by the internationally acclaimed artist duo (and brothers) Einar and Jamex de la Torre. The 40 mixed-media works include blown-glass sculptures and installation art, plus some of the artists’ latest lenticulars with imagery that changes as the viewer moves from side to side.
Born in Guadalajara, Jalisco, México, and now living both in San Diego and Baja California, Einar and Jamex de la Torre have navigated life on both sides of the border since their youth and have inherited their own unique vision of the Latinx experience and American culture. Their work is visually complex and infused with humorous elements exploring art, history, and material culture. Working with glass, resin, lenticular prints, and found objects, the brothers create work inspired by Mexican folk art, popular culture, religious imagery, consumer culture, and mythology.
The second In Our Own Words: Native Impressions is one in a series of American art exhibitions created through a multi-year, multi-institutional partnership formed by the Amon Carter Museum of American Art as part of the Art Bridges Cohort Program. In Our Own Words features vibrant portraits of Indigenous people by printmaker Daniel Heyman (b. 1963) and graphic designer Lucy Ganje (b. 1949). Their collaborative process included interviews with the 12 subjects, support from four Indigenous Nations, and production by a printing team and papermaker. The entire portfolio was printed in North Dakota on handmade paper created from the pulp of trees grown on local reservations.
Heyman and Ganje’s approach provides an important counterpoint to generalized and romanticized depictions of Native Americans by artists such as George Catlin and Edward Curtis. Here, the named sitters are presented through both portraits and their own words. They share their lives as activists, educators, entrepreneurs, politicians, veterans, and parents, discussing topics like family history, climate change, and the legacy of forced assimilation. Historical paintings and sculptures often imply that Indigenous peoples were on the verge of “vanishing,” but these works are living testimonies that these communities remain rich, varied, personal, and very much alive.
Aside from the exhibitions, AMST also offers a variety of educational programs, classes, and public events that are perfect for a summer outing. Enjoy free community nights each month such as First Friday and Third Thursday, where you can engage with art and artists in a relaxed and social atmosphere.
Summertime also marks the beginning of The Fine Art of Summer Camp, the Museum’s very popular youth art camp. Beginning June 5 and running through August 4, camp is broken up into 10 sessions, each with their own art and drama theme. Our camp sessions are the perfect place for budding artists to explore different forms of art, refine their techniques, and express themselves through various mediums. Come join us and discover the joy of artmaking in a fun and supportive environment.
Walking the galleries of AMST is sure to work up an appetite. Treat yourself to an elevated dining experience at Elizabeth’s inside the Art Museum. The picturesque Corpus Christi Bay provides a stunning backdrop as you relax and reflect on the art and experiences of your visit.
So, pack your swimsuit and walking shoes, and head to Corpus Christi for an unforgettable summer adventure at the Art Museum of South Texas. Immerse yourself in the world of fine art, be inspired by diverse perspectives, and create lasting memories of a summer filled with art, culture, and self-discovery.
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