'Nuevo Dekho,' TAMIU Senior Art Exhibit Opens March 31

The first graduating senior art exhibition in the history of Texas A&M International University opens with a reception Thursday, March 31 from 5:30 - 8 p.m. in the Center for the Fine and Performing Arts Gallery.

Dubbed "NUEVO DEKHO!" or "New Look," the exhibit focuses on originality with each of the artists offering new works created for the show. The show signals a new beginning for the Visual Arts at TAMIU and Laredo.

The exhibition includes different medias in art and each student's interpretation of them. Works are offered in video, photography, paintings, mixed media and collage-paintings. "NUEVO DEKHO!" offers an opportunity to see local emerging artists, their uniqueness, and their imagination.

The show is curated by Alma Haertlein, assistant professor of art at TAMIU.

As part of the opening reception, a "red dot sale" featuring other original art works by the artists will benefit the TAMIU Visual Arts Scholarship Fund. Fifty percent of proceeds will go to the scholarship fund, providing a great opportunity to purchase art from emerging artists, while helping future art students.

The artists are: Amber Garza, a figurative painter using vibrant colors to entice viewer's emotions; Cynthia Garza, a painter exploring the figure through the use of color representing emotions and the subject's inner self; Gracie Gutierrez, whose paintings are inspired by the human cellular structure and the principles of physics and Vincent Moreno, filmmaker/photographer who will show prints and premiere his latest film, "The Cruisers" inspired by the motion picture "Collateral."

Also, Reuben Njaa, veteran photographer and untraditional student, showing different media from his previous photographic efforts, including collage-paintings; Alfonso Santos, a mixed media artist using humor to comment on cultural and religious icons, and Maritza Bautista, presenting colorful monoprints and wire sculptures that feature repetitive designs.

For more information, please contact Haertlein at 326-3041 or email her at almah@tamiu.edu.

Gallery hours are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.