Texas Border Business
By Selene Rodriguez
South Texas College faculty member Claudia Silberman is making a powerful impact through her Art Appreciation class, where she demonstrates that art is more than aesthetics, it’s a tool to educate, inspire and drive meaningful change.
Her dedication to encouraging students to use art as a voice for social issues has earned her the Distinguished Teaching and Learning Award, an honor presented to STC faculty who implement exemplary, creative and effective teaching practices.
“This class, to me, is less about the content and more about connection, about getting students truly engaged with what art is and what it can become,” Silberman explained. “For me, as a teacher, the most important thing is helping them see how art can impact their lives. It’s about creating a safe space where they feel free to express themselves and unleash their creativity.”
Originally from Peru, Silberman began her career in architecture, earning a bachelor’s degree in Architecture from Syracuse University in New York.
As part of her studies, she spent a year in Florence, Italy, immersing herself in Renaissance architecture while completing her master’s degree, also from Syracuse.
“To me, architecture and art are one and the same, there can’t be one without the other,” Silberman said. “During my time in Florence, I was surrounded by structures where art wasn’t just decoration, it was deeply embedded in the architecture. It’s fascinating to see how many of the great artists were not only painters, but also architects and sculptors, seamlessly blending disciplines into their work.”
In 1998, Silberman moved to the Rio Grande Valley after her husband, a cardiologist, found a job opportunity in the area. It was here that she started a family, earned a second master’s degree, this time in Fine Arts, and began teaching at the University of Texas–Pan American, now University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV).
Devoted to raising her three daughters, Silberman took a step back from her career, but never lost her passion for teaching.
During the pandemic, she returned to the classroom as an adjunct instructor at STC, where she began teaching an Art Appreciation class. Through her engaging approach, she later transitioned into a full-time role with the Architecture program.
But, despite the shift, Silberman continues to teach Art Appreciation, a course that has earned her collegewide recognition, because of her Social Responsibility Project that empowers students to use art as a tool for change.
“In this class, I see students from all walks of life, nursing, welding, business, psychology, you name it,” Silberman explained. “Everyone comes in with a different background and a different goal, and I take it to heart to find ways to motivate them and keep them engaged.”
As part of the class, and after exploring topics such as color theory, artistic processes and the use of shapes, Silberman challenges each student to create a piece that represents a social issue personally meaningful to them.
Past projects have addressed topics such as suicide prevention among veterans, immigration, drug abuse and domestic violence.
“We start by looking at historical art pieces and how they’ve reflected and contributed to society by capturing moments in history,” Silberman explained. “Then, I ask students to choose a topic they care about, something they want to raise awareness about and create a piece that communicates that message.”
She explained students are free to use any artistic medium they prefer, from watercolor and pastel to photography and more. After presenting their work, they exchange feedback and vote on the most impactful piece.
“On my own, I take the selected artwork and create postcards with the image on one side and the contact information for a related organization or cause on the other,” she said. “We hand them out to spread awareness, and that way, we’re not just learning, we’re actively making a difference through art. There’s nothing more beautiful than that.”
In addition to the meaningful impact she’s made through her Art Appreciation class, Silberman is now a key part of STC’s new Architecture program pathway, an option designed to prepare students for transfer opportunities and eventual licensure in the field, paving the way toward a brighter future.
“By being part of the new Architecture pathway, I have the opportunity to make an impact there as well and it’s all thanks to STC,” she added. “I love this college because of its commitment to the community and the opportunities it provides for students, especially those who choose to stay local and invest in an affordable, high-quality education. I’m really proud to be part of STC.”
