Regional Artist Arturo Nochebuena González selected for TAMIU 50th Anniversary Art Commission Project
Arturo Nochebuena González, a renowned artist in Los Dos Laredos, remembers how in the 1970’s, as a college student attending Nuevo Laredo, México’s Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas, he enjoyed participating in social gatherings held at Laredo State University, now Texas A&M International University (TAMIU).
“They were called convivios (get-togethers), and were cultural events designed to bring students from both universities together,” he recalled, “In one of those events, they also took us on a trip to San Antonio.”
Nochebuena González’s artistry, coupled with his understanding of TAMIU’s history, were the catalysts that helped TAMIU to recently select him, from a pool of contestants, as its commissioned artist to create an art project commemorating the University’s approaching 50th Anniversary.
Nochebuena González’s painting will encapsulate TAMIU’s 50th Anniversary theme, “A World of Difference.” The finished piece will include key concepts such as history, nature, empowerment, culture, connection, celebration and future. It will be displayed in the new TAMIU Academic Innovation Center, a 120,000 square foot facility which will house the University’s growing engineering and science programs and be the largest classroom addition to the campus. It is scheduled to be dedicated this Fall.
“I would like to thank TAMIU for allowing me to be in this contest,” Nochebuena González said, “It was a pleasure to participate. In the concept I submitted for consideration, I was satisfied to be able to incorporate the seven concepts that they’ve asked us to include. One of them was empowerment. I felt happy for those who participate in the University’s life, including young people and adults.”
In order to symbolize the University’s history as well as success, he said he included a bay leaf in his painting proposal. The painting will include nature, landscape, and a rose as well as greenery, which represents connection to human beings, Nochebuena said. The piece will also depict books, which represent knowledge, he added.
TAMIU President Dr. Pablo Arenaz said the commission was recently opened to artists or artist teams. Nochebuena’s work will join the collection of the art and historical artifacts inspiring scholars and the collective TAMIU community, he explained.
“The finished piece should unite the University’s international identity, 50 years of history, and its transcendent impact on the people, culture, natural landscape and the world,” he said, “It should speak to the difference TAMIU has made and communicate how it will continue to shape the world around it.”
Dr. Arenaz said Nochebuena González’s project concept, and, in particular the artist’s use of color and clear demonstration of talent and experience, captivated the artist selection committee’s attention.
“Mr. Nochebuena González is a revered regional artist and we love the idea of working with someone who understands our community,” Arenaz said.
Nochebuena González, originally from México City, moved to Nuevo Laredo when he was a child, where he showed a keen interest in the arts from a young age.
Upon graduating from high school in Nuevo Laredo, he moved to México City to study arts at the Academy of San Carlos, where he learned from some of the best masters of his time.
Nochebuena González, whose full-time profession was that of a certified public accountant in Nuevo Laredo until 1996, has since dedicated his life to art. He has conducted 43 individual art exhibits and more than 200 collectively.
His current art exhibit is open at the Estación Palabra Art Museum in Nuevo Laredo through May 30.
Nochebuena González looks forward to the presentation of his commissioned TAMIU art project this Fall at the ribbon-cutting for the Academic Innovation Center.
For more information, please contact TAMIU’s Office for Institutional Advancement at 956.326.2178, email txamiu50@tamiu.edu or visit offices located in the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library, room 260.
University office hours are 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.
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Arturo Nochebuena González , left, is pictured with University officials as he presents his commissioned artwork proposal.