Acquisition project underway at Center for the Arts for work of Laredo artists who live, create, and exhibit elsewhere

The work of local and regional artists — some of renowned recognition and others on their way to distinction, some who live, create, and exhibit elsewhere — are the objects of recent acquisitions for a collection to be housed at the Laredo Center for the Arts.

The acquisition initiative, a project proposed by the Art Exhibit Review committee, is designed to exhibit and showcase as well as educate Laredo and surrounding areas of work by Laredoans who live, create, and are celebrated in other communities. This committee is co-chaired by Mary Ann García and Melissa Amici-Haynes, and its members include Pedro Morales, Gil Rocha, Jessica Diez-Barroso, Eva Solis, Julio Mendez, and Amelia Ramirez.

“While galleries, collections, and institutions in other cities across the country display the art of former Laredoans, we want Laredo to be able to experience it, too. There is no better home for such a collection than the Laredo Center for the Arts,” said committee member Morales.

The Center recently acquired “Blue Bato with Sunglasses” by Cesar Martinez and “La Frontera” by Ethel Shipton, both native Laredoans now living in San Antonio. Their works were purchased from the Ruiz Healy Art Gallery.

“Blue Bato with Sunglasses” by Cesar Martinez

According to Morales, inspiration for the collection was manifold, coming about in part after a tour with Amici of San Antonio galleries and museums that included Ruiz Healey Art Gallery, Art Pace, Ruby City, Blue Star Art, Presa House Gallery,  and the McNay Museum, all which have exhibited the work of accomplished artists from Laredo.

“La Frontera” by Ethel Shipton

“That Laredoan Mauro C. Martinez was exhibiting at Unit London and Gil Rocha had a solo show at Presa House Gallery gave momentum to the idea of an acquisition project to have all these artists exhibited under one roof,” Morales said.

“What also really motivated us was the possibility of experiencing the art of so many Laredoans in one space — artists of different generations and works in every medium. Imagine the possibilities of housing such works with a celebration and a homecoming,” said Amici-Haynes.

“And imagine what could be learned and the inspiration created in aspiring artists from such a collection,” Morales said.

Cesar A. Martinez’s art is in the permanent collection of the Smithsonian Museum of American Art, the Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art, the McNay Museum and the San Antonio Museum of Art, as well as the Museum of FineArts Houston.

Ethel Shipton’s website documents her work in the public collections of San Antonio corporations such as the Argo Group, the AT&T Center, Lewis Energy Group, and the Canopy Hotel on the Riverwalk.

“While Armando Hinojosa and Amado Pena remain the most recognized artists from Laredo, this initiative will shine the light on other established as well as up and coming contemporary artists from our community. We are developing a list of local artists which will later be expanded to include regional artists. Michael Tracy, Cesar A. Martinez, Thomas Glassford, Ethel Shipton, Luis Guerra, Anne Wallace, Eric Avery, Mikki Rodriguez, Gil Rocha, Mauro C. Martinez, Ana Laura Hernandez, Hector Hernandez, Jerry Cabrera, and Jorge Javier López are among artists we are looking at. There are many more, and our list continues to grow,” said Amici-Haynes.

“Our goal with every acquisition is to be able to pay the artist for their work, and so we are being creative about how we can make that happen. In addition to exploring grants to fund the collection, we are also encouraging individuals, foundations, private collectors and businesses to help us with a donation to grow the collection or to acquire the work of a certain artist or artists,” Amici-Haynes said, adding, “The creation of specific programs and methods of giving are in the works.”

She said that she and Morales are available to discuss the list of artists, the cost of specific acquisitions, and how to be part of this initiative.

“This initiative will provide a space to house a one-of-a-kind collection in the City of Laredo which will activate the Center, by telling compelling stories, and hosting events and celebrations of these artists and their works,” Amici-Haynes said.

She can be reached at mmamici@gmail.com.