The University of Texas at San Antonio Works from the Permanent Collection,” a new art exhibition will run from March 30, 2023, to January 29, 2024, at the UTSA Institute of Texan Cultures. The exhibit includes works from 12 artists—comprising paintings, photography, prints, and tapestries.
“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.”
UTSA holds about 3,000 artworks in its permanent collection, including paintings, sculptures, prints, photographs and works 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.
The exhibit’s opening wall features Lowell Nesbitt’s “Yellow Orchid.” In 1980, the United States Postal Service honored Nesbitt with a series of four commemorative postage stamps based on his floral paintings. 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, which carries Fairey’s hallmarks such as the “Obey” iconography, and imagery that serves as commentary on consumer culture. 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.
Ron Adams, Alexander Calder, Larry Chappelear, Elliott Erwitt, Adriana Maria Garcia, Albert Gonzales, John Hoyland, Graciela Iturbide and Thomas Walsh round out the artists whose works will be on display.
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 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Thursday through Sunday. 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