New TAMIU Art Exhibit Kicks of With Reception Oct. 21

Show your support for rising artist Bernardo Diaz, Texas A&M International University College of Arts and Sciences department of fine and performing arts graduate, at the upcoming exhibit, “High 5.” The exhibit kicks off with a reception Thursday, Oct. 21 from 5 – 7:30 p.m. at the Center for the Fine and Performing Arts Gallery lobby.

Admission is free and open to the public.

The exhibit, which also features work done by artists in the M.F.A. program at Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Dallas, will be on display through Thursday, Nov. 18.

Diaz received a full scholarship to attend SMU.

“My work draws from various aspects of our society, including religion, politics, the family unit, socio-economic issues and gender identity from the point of view of a first-generation Mexican-American,” states Diaz in his artist’s statement.

He adds, “I was born and raised in a constant tug of war between living in a traditional Mexican household and a society that encouraged total assimilation into the American culture. Through my work, I project an outlook on society through the use of personal iconography and metaphor.”

Diaz says his interest in art was spurred by circumstance rather than chance.

“My parent’s lack of financial resources and the lack of recreational activities within Eagle Pass led me to art as a form of entertainment and soon thereafter a form of expressing myself in a town that worked to suppress it -- but much has changed since then. Eagle Pass has seen the budding of several small entities attempting to inject the city with creativity.”

Diaz was born in Rochelle, Ill., and raised in Eagle Pass. In addition to his B.A. from TAMIU, Diaz earned a master’s in art from Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi. He also completed “Les Subsistance Residency” in Lyon, France.

His work has been exhibited in many cities around Texas and Piedras Negras, Coahuila, México.

For more information on the artist, visit berniediaz.com

For a recording of upcoming arts events, call 326.ARTS (2787) or visit tamiu.edu/coas/fpa/coe

For more information, contact Alma Haertlein, Gallery director and associate professor of art, at almah@tamiu.edu or 326.3041.

Gallery hours are noon – 5 p.m., Monday – Thursday or by appointment.

Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services at prmis@tamiu.edu