Axe ’Em, Jacks!
NACOGDOCHES, Texas - The Stephen F. Austin State University School of Art and The Cole Art Center @ The Old Opera House will present “Twenty,” an exhibition featuring the work of Benjamin Muñoz, running Nov. 2 through Jan. 19 at The Cole Art Center.
“We are excited to host ‘Twenty’ and have Ben Muñoz as a visiting artist,” said Christopher Talbot, director of the School of Art. “He will give demonstrations with our students and assist the opening reception of this wonderful exhibition where he will showcase a collection of prints, including some on loan courtesy of the ‘Live in Hope Art Collection.’”
Muñoz is a Dallas-based multi-disciplinary artist whose practice spans painting, installation and monumental printmaking. Muñoz grew up in the vibrant Chicano culture of Corpus Christi, which boasts the country's largest Day of the Dead celebration, lowriders shows and unique food culture. The middle child of three artist brothers, Muñoz found his voice by reflecting on his heritage, upbringing and current surroundings.
Muñoz attended Del Mar Community College in Corpus Christi for two years before the combination of “a young man’s arrogance” and starting his family gave him the confidence and circumstances to leave school and begin his journey as a professional artist. His first big break came when he was awarded the city’s biggest grant to create the exterior of the local arts center. In 2018, he relocated to Dallas.
His work can be found in the public collections of The Amon Carter Museum of Art, The Mexic-Arte Museum, The National Museum of Mexican Art, The Bernard A. Zuckerman Museum of Art, The Blanton Museum of Art, and extensive private collections, including the largest collection of Latino art in the world belonging to Gilberto Cardenas. Muñoz has been honored with 17 solo exhibitions throughout the United States and was included in “Soy de Tejas, a traveling survey of Texas-born Latino artists.
The reception planned for 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 2, is sponsored by the SFA Friends of the Visual Arts, Bill Arscott and the Nacogdoches Junior Forum. Admission to the exhibition and reception is free.
Cole Art Center is located at 329 E. Main St. For more information, call (936) 468-1131.