Texas Border Business
By Sara Reyna
South Texas College’s Art department recently collaborated with the college’s Library Art Gallery to bring back the annual ceramic showdown, marking its 15th celebration.
Hosted at STC’s Pecan campus, the two-day event offered students, faculty and community members the opportunity to work alongside Arizona-based ceramists, Angelina Aispuro and Larry Yanez and Photographer Gordon Fong.
STC Political Science student Joey Juarez said the experience of working side-by-side with the artists was eye-opening and impactful, leaving him motivated and inspired by the carefully curated spaces that welcomed his creativity.
“It’s one thing to see artists refining their craft through online videos versus being coached in person by the artist as they walk you through each step of clay work with intention and care,” Juarez shared. “This has been an eye-opening experience that brings me joy because we’ve been given a space to work, learn and be creative in our community which helps foster this continued sense of connection to art, culture and education.”
Christopher Leonard, STC Art and Ceramics instructor, shared his enthusiasm for the return of the annual ceramic showdown, emphasizing the collaborative effort between artists from nine universities and colleges across the nation, building momentum for the art show’s return.
“Slowing down after the pandemic, we were excited to make a mark for the 15th year of this art show,” Leonard explained. “It was a pleasure to invite the three Arizona-based artists into our studio to host workshops with our talented faculty and students, in addition to the various pieces sent in from various universities and colleges from California, Pennsylvania, Missouri, Wisconsin and Texas, making this comeback even more special.”
Ceramic Artist Aispuro expressed her joy in working closely with STC’s students through the various clay demonstrations hosted at the campus. She said that events like the recent showcase provide a unique opportunity to instill hope into future generations of artists.
“Connecting to the community has been incredible, especially being able to make that connection to the students at STC,” she shared. “I’ve traveled to a lot of places across the country and the warm welcome we’ve received has been heartwarming. I had the privilege of meeting students and community members who asked me questions and were eager to learn. I made it a priority to share my story with them so that they feel empowered to continue nurturing their passion for art and instilling in them that it’s better to make things happen, than to watch things happen.”
The exhibit will be displayed at the STC Pecan Campus Library Art Gallery, building F, room 226, from June 5 to July 31, 2024.
The collaborative works from universities and community colleges will also be displayed at the Art Department Gallery in building B, room 103 from June 5 to September 6, 2024.
To learn more about the Fine and Performing Arts programs at STC, visit https://www.southtexascollege.edu/academics/fine-performing-arts/
