City of San Antonio Examines the Legacy of Artist Jesse Treviño

Published on May 08, 2023

Panel discussion to include colleagues of the acclaimed artist who passed away in February.

SAN ANTONIO (May 8, 2023) - San Antonio artist Jesse Treviño will be honored through a panel discussion that will examine his significant contributions to the art world and to the local arts community. The Department of Arts & Culture, in collaboration with the San Antonio Public Library, is hosting the event at the Central Library (600 Soledad St.) on Wednesday, May 10, 2023 starting at 6:00 pm. The discussion, titled "Su Vida y Arte" will be moderated by Ellen Riojas Clark, Ph. D. who is a Professor Emeritus at the University of Texas at San Antonio with a focus on Bicultural Bilingual Studies and was a close friend of Treviño's.

"It is critical to support the legacy of Jesse Treviño, a very important Latino visual artist from San Antonio, Texas," said Riojas Clark. "His work impacts us on a daily basis for those of us who live here. His history, ideology, artistic journey, personal growth and identity development - it is all crucial for us to learn about him because his work depicts our faces and communities."
On the panel will be:

• Cesar Martinez - San Antonio based Chicano artist, veteran and contemporary of Treviño
• Anthony Head - author of the book, Spirit: The Life and Art of Jesse Treviño
• Gabriel Quintero Velasquez - President/CEO of the Avenida Guadalupe Association, friend of Treviño
• Randy Beamer - award-winning news anchor, host of KLRN's "On the Record" and friend of Treviño

"We are honored to host Jesse's esteemed colleagues on this panel in a format that is free and open to all because he made art accessible to all - in large scale formats that truly show the values and themes that many San Antonians resonate with," said Department of Arts & Culture Executive Director Krystal Jones. "However, his work transcends beyond just one community or group. Mexican Americans, veterans, survivors, people who deal with mental health issues and more can truly see themselves reflected in his collection of his works. We are grateful for his legacy and contributions."
In addition to the panel discussion, visitors to the Central Library can view Treviño's
14-by-8-foot autobiographical painting titled "Mi Vida" (1971-73) which is considered one of his most significant artworks. It will be on display for a two-year period while on loan from art collector Cindy Gabriel.
"Libraries are a confluence of information, culture and creativity," said Library Director Ramiro S. Salazar. "We are fortunate to have works of art by many highly influential visual artists on display at Central Library. Two of Jesse Trevino's large-scale paintings have awed visitors here for years, and we are now grateful and humbled to host Treviño's 'Mi Vida' and proud to welcome this panel to the library to attest to his life and work."
Learn more about the Department of Arts & Culture at www.SanAntonio.gov/Arts and follow @GetCreativeSA.