Mobile art piece to showcase Seguin’s cultural diversity throughout the public
(Seguin) – Evidence of Seguin’s rich cultural diversity will begin rolling out thanks to a $50,000 grant designed to help the community better understand its history.
Teatro De Artes De Juan Seguin is thrilled to announce the unveiling of the first of three-traveling co-community creations of art exhibits made possible by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) under the Our Town program.
The first piece in the inaugural exhibit, created by Indigenous artist Ruben Esquivel, will be revealed at 12:30 pm this Sunday, October 27 at the Teatro De Artes Cultural Arts Center.
Teatro De Artes De Juan Seguin was among 57 recipients nationwide and one of only three Texas organizations to receive this prestigious funding, totaling $4.1 million. The grant is dedicated to supporting the project “Our Town – Sharing of People, Places, Culture, and Stories through Art Creation in Seguin.”
In collaboration with the City of Seguin, Seguin Public Library, and Seguin Main Street, this project focuses on amplifying the voices and stories of Seguin’s communities of color, including the African American, Mexican American/Tejano, and Native American/Indigenous communities. Over the past 15 months, Teatro has actively engaged residents through six community pláticas (conversations) to gather invaluable stories that reflect the diverse social fabric of Seguin.
Three artists — including Esquivel, Howard Crunk, and Debora Kuetzpal Vásquez — were commissioned to participate in community discussions to best plan for what traveling installations will circulate throughout the Seguin community. These mobile art installations will be making stops at local schools, museums, banks, businesses, universities, non-profit organizations, and other public spaces for all to enjoy.
Seeing this project come to fruition has become bittersweet for Teatro De Artes Executive Director Yvonne De La Rosa.
Dr. De La Rosa says she wrote the grant alongside her mom, Teatro Co-Founder Vickie De La Rosa, before she passed away in April 2023.
“My mom would be so proud that this project weaves the culturally diverse stories of Seguin into the fabric of our community through art that will now be shared for generations to come,” said De La Rosa.
As for this first art project, De La Rosa says Esquivel, the NEA Our Town Native American/Indigenous Artist in Residence, has taken a unique approach to telling the stories through his captivating installment. “Ruben’s art will truly capture the story, beauty, harmonious living with the land as well as capture the warrior and peaceful spirit of the Native American/Indigenous of our community,” said De La Rosa.
Also excited for the art installation and what it means for the city of Seguin is Mayor Donna Dodgen.
“The City of Seguin is honored to be a partner in this wonderful project. We encourage community members to join us for the unveiling of Esquivel’s artwork and be part of a celebration that honors Seguin’s shared history and diverse population, “said Dodgen.
The other two Our Town art creations are set to be unveiled one by one in 2025, including the NEA Our Town Mexican-American/Tejano installation by artist Debora Kuetzpal Vásquez and the NEA Our Town African-American installation created by artist Howard Crunk.