Rachael F. Brown, Associate Professor
Associate Professor Rachael Freyman Brown has been teaching at South Texas College since 1997. A life-long learner, she started her post secondary education in the social sciences, and earned a BA in Archaeology/Anthropology (Indiana University Bloomington, 1989). She completed a MA in Art History and certificate in Museum Studies, specializing in curating and education, (University of Illinois C-U, 1994), to which she added an MFA, 2-D concentration (University of Texas Pan-American, 2006). Rachael has a strong interest in guiding students in their discovery of creative talents, and practice of artistic discipline. As a classroom and studio professor, Rachael’s teaching philosophy is that it is vital for students to discover and appreciate their own culture and creativity and that of others. Ultimately, teaching art is most rewarding because art demonstrates that we are united as humans, and paradoxically, expresses our individuality. In this 2020 Pandemic series, I am looking at mundane household items we often throw away or recycle, and allowing them to be 'something' instead of just trash. Some compositions are mostly found, others are arranged. These images might convey a wide array of concepts to viewers -- anything from an environmental statement. to whimsy, to that little kernel of OCD that lives in so many of us.
Luis Corpus, Art Instructor/Department Chair
"It's been like that," Digital, 2020
Chris Leonard, Art Instructor
Chris Leonard/The (Mostly) Upbeat Artist Statement Just what am I making? If I were decidedly effective in my artistic endeavors through action and energy I’d arrive at a sensation of elemental power. The twenty-first century in America, there are so many choices! But are these choices always clear? I seem to find myself meandering off into symbolic meaning, metaphysical speculation, technical tribulations, and contemplative moods. As soon as I answer one question and solve a problem another three or five invariably show up. What I want is a smile on the face, a twinkle in the eye, a healthy glow in the gut, and maybe even a friend to confide in. If I don’t have these things, I’ve decided to make them. Much of my current work seems to explore boundaries; when does the positive connotation of universal optimism morph into the over the top proud to be an American where at least I know I’m free to engage in the addiction and fixation in pursuit of more consumable short term solutions? Whatever you’ve got, I want, if only for a little while.
Phyllis Leverich, Assistant Professor
The images in "Seasons at Red Creek" were taken in Gypsum, Colorado during the winter and spring of 2020. I used slow shutter speeds to capture the movement of the water, in various states of freeze and thaw, as it rushed down from the mountains over the stones of Red Creek. These images have minimal color with emphasis on a broad range of tonal values. In them, the viewer will find the rhythmic patterns of repeated elements and contrast between movement and stillness.
Tom Matthews, Art Instructor
Heaven Mendoza, Art Instructor
Scott Nicol, Assistant Professor
Pedro Perez, Art Instructor
Eduardo Quintero, Adjunct Faculty
I was born and raised in McAllen, Texas. My artistic influences range from Raphael to Rauschenberg. The draftsmanship of Raphael was what lured me to drawing and eventually into painting. Drawing is very important in my work, as is the mixing of images like Rauschenberg. Los Tres Grandes, Mexican muralist Diego Rivera, David Alfaro Siquieros, and Jose Clemente Orozco have influence my work and the Chicano Muralist of the 70’s whose work was used to educate the masses of socioeconomic injustices. I received my Bachelors of Fine Art (Studio) from the University of Texas Pan American in 2005. In 2011 I received my Masters of Fine Art (2-D) from the University of Texas Pan American. In addition to my MFA I also earned a Graduate Certificate in Mexican American Studies, which opened my eyes and gave me the background to talk about socioeconomic problems that plague this area. I am currently an Adjunct Faculty at South Texas College and at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.
Richard Smith, Art Instructor
I am inspired by flatness.
Sarah Tamez, Adjunct Faculty
Melissa Terry, Adjunct Faculty
Carl Vestweber, Adjunct Faculty
My work explores my interests and experiences as an artist, husband and father living in the 21st century. My current media ranges from illustrative drawings and paintings to anthropomorphic cat art and abstracted dot collages. While the materials of my work may vary, the colors, themes of playful interaction, family, contemporary culture and power structures overlap and represent my experiences and understandings of the world around me.
