A Latino Art Journal: South Texas 2024

       Walking into the University of California Los Angeles  Chicano Studies Research Library one day in 1970 I saw the first Chicano mural in a higher education setting in the U.S.– art history in the making. I learned over time that our duty as trained historians is to gather vital documents, capture significant events in film or video, interview key players, and write about our findings. I am spending my short vacation time organizing photos.  I have taken more than 20,000 since the 1970s. This week I have chosen 16 photos taken during the first half of 2024 as part of a photo journal. Enjoy.     

Millicent Alvardo. “Split Decision of Poor Choices.”  [2D layered cardstock]. Courtesy of Presa House.  Photo by Ricardo Romo.

Millicent Alvardo, “A Gift for the Eyes, Not the Soul.”   Courtesy of  Presa House. Photo by Ricardo Romo 

Millicent Alvardo.  Front view of artist’s immersive felt art installation at Presa House.  Photo by Ricardo Romo 

Kant [Alberto Garza} Jimi Hendrix mural near completion. Guadalupe Street. Photo by Ricardo Romo.

Calvo Murals. “Bad Bunny. Northside San Antonio near Broadway. Photo by Ricardo Romo.

Cesar Martinez,  “Mona Lupe.”  Courtesy of The Art Museum of South Texas. Photo by Ricardo Romo.

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Ricardo Ruiz [the elder]. El Corrido del Mocho Eugenio, Mathis, Texas (The Songs My Father Taught Me are the Songs I'll Teach My Son), 1994. Courtesy of The Art Museum of South Texas. Photo by Ricardo Romo.

Ricardo Ruiz [the elder]. Courtesy of The Art Museum of South Texas. Photo by Ricardo Romo.

Joe Peña.  Corpus Christi studio.  Photo by Ricardo Romo.

Joe Peña,  “Camila.”  Courtesy of the Artist. 

Joe Peña, “Austin Stop.” Photo courtesy of the artist. 

Bruno Andrade. Courtesy of The Art Museum of South Texas. Photo by Ricardo Romo. 

Benjamin Soriano,  Guadalupe Lumber Co. mural. Saltillo St. Photo by Ricardo Romo. 

Volunteer artist at Guadalupe Lumber Co. mural. Saltillo St. Photo by Ricardo Romo. 

Guadalupe Lumber Co. mural. Saltillo St. Photo by Ricardo Romo. 

Doroteo Garza, Lead artist, Guadalupe Lumber Co. mural. Saltillo St. Photo by Ricardo Romo.