PAPER DREAMS: THE SERIE PROJECT

"Morphic Resonance" Serigraph by Marc Silva

The McAIlen International Museum recently installed PAPER DREAMS: THE SERIE PROJECT, a varied and vibrant exhibition of coloful serigraphs by Texas artists, most from ethnic backgrounds. The serigraphs (silk screen prints) were all created under the auspices of the Coronado Studio in Austin.

The artists presented in PAPER DREAMS include several who are well-established, such as Lilian Garcia-Roig, Benito Huerta, and Connie Arismendi. They all bring the same superlative qualities to the print medium that they would to an original work in their chosen media. Garcia-Roig transforms one of Velasquez' courtly princesses into a dusky mestiza in her loosely rendered print "La Jnfanta Teotihuacana." In "Cast of Characters" Benito Huerta combines a daring background of reds with a black and white design resembling a totem pole of popular icons like Daffy Duck and Bugs Bunny. Connie Arismendi uses a delicate stipple technique for "La Vida," an elegant arrangement of flames.

The Coronado Studio has been home base since 1993 for more than 60 artists. The space that artist Sam Coronado had originally intended for his painting studio has instead become a multi-cultural fine art serigraphy print shop, providing everything from equipment to exhibitions, and of course guidance and advice.

Although most Coronado studio prints possess a Latino flavor, artists are given free rein over content and style. Coronado's main requirement of participating artists is solid commitment to the project; each must follow his/her work through the entire printing process, including the preparation of stencils to separate each of the eight colors used in each edition. The prints are then signed and numbered and are divided between studio and artist.

Many styles are at work here; you will find flat graphic planes, three-dimensional visual textures, vivid color palettes. Encompassing all levels of experience and expertise, each piece conveys unique style and a unique approach to a creative medium.

PAPER DREAMS: THE SERIE PROJECT will continue through August 30.

Other exhibitions currently on view at the McAllen International Museum are:

• PAT MUSICK: OUT OF THE EARTH, which features contemporary sculpture and drawings by an artist from Arkansas;
• PICASSO: IMAGINARY PORTRAITS
• MAZE MANIA
• MIRROR MAGIC

Museum hours are 9 to S Tuesday through Saturday, 1 to 5 pm Sundays. THE MUSEUM IS CLOSED MONDAYS. Admission is $2 for adults, $1 for senior citizens, students 13+ with ID, and children 12 and under. The museum is located at Nolana and Bicentennial in McAllen.