Several events for PRIDE Month 2021 were scheduled in the Corpus Christi area including poetry reading and a PRIDE Pet Paw-rade where owners and their pets could show their support and show off their PRIDE colors and accessories. A PRIDE parade and block party will be held in October during LGBT History Month when the weather is cooler and more have the opportunity to get vaccinated.
PRIDE Corpus Christi put out a call for artists who “personally identify, or feel they have been defined by society, as a part of the LGBTQIA+ demographic.” The goal of the exhibit was “to celebrate the achievements of and gain recognition for LGBTQIA+ artists in the Coastal Bend.” Artists selected had their art on display at the La Palmera Mall in Corpus Christi from June 1 to June 30 for PRIDE Month.
The free exhibit was tucked away in a small space on the upper level of the mall. I visited the simple installation last week and was moved by the personal expression of their feelings through art. Husband photographed several for me. Scroll for more of art by these mostly young people who have come out personally and artistically.
KIRA GONZALEZ ‘LOVE IS LOVE’ (2021) ACRYLIC ON CANVAS
GUILLERMO “GUY” GALLEGOS ‘CIERVO O VENADO (2019) ACRYLIC ON CANVAS
JOSHUA DUTTWIELER ‘WE ARE ALL HOUGHTON #1 ‘ 2021) PHOTOGRAPHY
JOSE “JOEY’ GONZALES ‘SELF PORTRAIT’ (2019) OIL ON CANVAS
BRYSON OLIVAREZ ‘THE PLAYFUL CARCASS’ (2021) MIXED MEDIA
BRYSON OLIVAREZ ‘PLAYING WITH COLOR’ (2020) MIXED MEDIA
SCOTT-ALEXANDER RIVERA ‘THE HEART OF LOVE IS LOVE’ (2020) ACRYLIC POUR ON STRETCHED CANVAS
SCOTT-ALEXANDER RIVERA ‘PRIDE EXPLOSION’ (2020) ACRYLIC POUR ON STRETCHED CANVAS
SAMANTHA TREVINO ‘LIM JAEBEOM’ (2021) ACRYLIC ON CANVAS
PHOTOS BY HUSBAND. HE IS REFLECTED IN THE SIGN THAT WAS BEHIND DOUBLE GLASS DOORS AT THE ENTRANCE.
THE COASTAL CRONE 
Very talented artists! I hope their message resounds loud and clear that all people are equal.
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Yes! I was pleased to see Pride Month banners displayed in the main area of the mall. It is a good sign that there is more support. It is getting better! Each had written a brief personal comment. Wish I could have included those. Thanks for the comment and support! There was a bit of “magick” in their art!
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I enjoyed the presentations; thank you for sharing. I particularly like the vibrancy of ‘Ciervo o Venado’–the symbolism is powerful. The portrait of Lim Jaebeom is also very thought provoking.
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So glad you enjoyed it! I was not sure how it would be received. (No comments or likes on Facebook yet.) I really liked those too. The Lim portrait haunted me. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
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Some very gifted artists you have shown here and a venue of epoch proportions that value every individuals’ worth to our earth and their importance as part of the larger whole. Thank you for sharing.
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Yes, it was a good venue. Most of them seemed to be young and just exploring their art. Some were college students. I have not been to a museum since the pandemic hit so this was a special treat to see art and without a mask! It was a very personal experience. Thanks for dropping by! Hope all is well with you.
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Real good art works. And your husband did a great job of photographing them.
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So pleased that you found some that you liked! Husband has a new phone and he was happy to be out somewhere to try it out. He is the family photographer. The last one he took (at my request) was more like a collage with a cookie place reflected in the background and only his arms showing. Great to have you visit my humble blog!
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Some stunning work!
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Kate, I am pleased that you found some that you liked! Not everyone appreciates abstract but they were colorful! So great to be out viewing art and shopping at the mall without a mask. We are slowly venturing out. Husband is happy to stay home but I have to encourage him to get out. He was happy to come along if he was needed to take photos. Have a good week!
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Thanks for the discussion of the exhibit, Jo. Also thanks to hubby for the photos.
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Glad you could join us – it was my “Views of the Neighborhood.” We are just slowly getting out now that we don’t have to wear masks. It is almost strange but wonderful. Husband enjoys taking photos and was happy to get away from the house and try out the camera on his new phone.. I need to plan another outing. Have a good week, John.
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Tell him the photos were outstanding.
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Thanks for sharing these!
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Loved all the art work!! ❤️
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So glad you like it, Diana! I did not get many likes on Facebook. Hope all is well with you. Thanks for taking time to view and comment! Much appreciated.
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Lovely art, and thank you so much for sharing it.
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Sometimes we just need a little art wherever can find it. Hope all is well with you.
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These are terrific pictures. Thanks for sharing.
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And thanks for taking time to view and comment! It was good to get out and see some art. Stay well!
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Looks like a very interesting collection Jo, thanks for sharing some of it.
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I am glad you found some that caught your interest. Your photos are always art! I hope all is well with you, Andrea, and you are finding joy in the season of summer. Thanks for the visit~
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A powerful exhibit , I can see how it moved you. There is so much pain in these paintings . I Thanks for sharing,
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Yes, it was very moving as my heart went out to these young people who were courageous and creative. I wished they could know that I shared on my humble blog in support. Thanks for acknowledging their art! Hope all is well with you on your coast. All ok here.
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Dearest Jo Nell, One takes so much for granted – until it ‘s gone. How absolutely wonderful you and Bill were able to visit this inspiring and thoughtful art show. Our hearts and souls require this exposure.. We miss attending the concerts. Attending the symphony. Strolling through art exhibits. We have limited access to the Vancouver Art gallery but with health and safety protocols still in place. Stay safe dear friend. XXXX Virginia
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Yes, we did take so much for granted. It was only a small exhibition in a mall but as you wrote “our hearts and hearts and souls requite this exposure.” This outing was a small venture for us but it is a start. We have a very good art museum in CC that does not require masks and the local Harbor Playhouse is full capacity without masks. We hope to attend both soon. We really miss the museums in Houston. All ok here!
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Beautiful Art dear Jo.. beautiful people.. beautiful Hearts… Art a great way of expression that can be both Gentle and Raw…. Truthful and Honest… Vibrant and Demur… And as KIRA GONZALEZ ‘LOVE IS LOVE’ (2021) says.. LOVE … IS….. LOVE…..
Many thanks for sharing Jo.. May we learn to embrace all in love….
Sending well wishes and Happy gardening on your patio dear friend… I’ve grown in the past many successful plants, including veggies in pots.. 🙂
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I love the way you describe them in opposite ways. Yes, you did get them. In the end we are all humans and want to love and be loved.
Thanks for the encouragement on pot gardening! Stay well, my friend!
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You too. Enjoy summer
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Thank you for sharing these photos with us. These artworks tell stories, very moving…
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Personal art for sure. Thanks for the visit and comment, Amy! Take care!
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It looks and sounds very interesting, Jo Nell. And what a good idea for this community to show off its art – holding this exhibition is a statement of strength in itself.
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Your husband did a great job taking photos of these paintings. My favorite is the “love is love” heart and the SAMANTHA TREVINO ‘LIM JAEBEOM’ (2021) ACRYLIC ON CANVAS. I don’t know why, but they really touch me. Wonderful exhibit!
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Thanks – he can be patient but he does like to take photos, I really like that one too. It was haunting and I wanted more. Have a good weekend. Heading over to read your latest post as I sip my afternoon coffee.
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Nice to connect, as always!
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Interesting exhibition, Jo. Nice to see young people sharing their talents. I am so sorry they feel “hated” though. I grew up in a family with a gay relative, my grandmother’s cousin. He was a very gifted man, a tree specialist who created many fruit tree cultivars. He lived with his partner and we visited them at least once a month. That was normal and never discussed by my parents. Normal like any other private life which is not anybody else’s business. Now in my 60-s I know many gay people, both male and female. Two gay men are my lifelong friends. Being gay is not a novelty. Has never been. “Hate’ is a very strong word. I think it has to be used carefully.
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Your grandmother’s cousin was a fortunate man back then to have such a family. Yes, being gay should not be a novelty. Thankfully, for the most part it is accepted as a part of being human and nothing new. Unfortunately, there are still those that hate and condemn. I long for the day when we do not label people by their sexual preferences and people learn to mind their own business. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
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Beautiful artwork, Jo. Very moving post and free art exhibit. What a treasure it was to find. 🙏
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These days we need art to brighten up our world. Thanks for taking a free tour and commenting!
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The collection is wonderful, and I appreciate your sharing them with us! Freedom of expression is a powerful thing and I like seeing it in this exhibit. Please pass along to your husband that he took great photos too!
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Glad you appreciated the freedom of expression in these pieces, Christy. Husband does do good work for me!
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