Seguin's cultural scene is about to get a vibrant facelift, courtesy of acclaimed artist Ruben Esquivel. Known for his powerful depictions that honor the experiences of historically underrepresented communities, Esquivel has been pegged as the artist in residence for the ambitious NEA Our Town Sharing of People, Places, Culture, and Stories Indigenous Community Co-Creation of Art project. He's not fresh off the boat either; the man has over a decade of experience, having worked on notable projects including the Native American Heritage Bus Wraps Design for Capital Metro.
Esquivel, an Austin native with roots firmly planted in Seguin's soil, plans to dive headfirst into the city's indigenous tales. He's been chosen by the National Endowment for the Arts Our Town Artist and Rendering Committee, and if you can trust anyone to spin a yarn into a visual spectacle, it's this guy. His childhood memories of the Guadalupe River provide a personal touch to his upcoming endeavor.
“I am deeply honored to have been chosen as the NEA Our Town Artist in Residence. It is a privilege to tell the rich and diverse stories of Seguin’s indigenous communities through my work. I look forward to creating a piece that celebrates their history, resilience, and enduring legacy in this vibrant city.” Esquivel expressed, according to a Seguin city government statement.
The city's inviting all and sundry to join in on a couple of pláticas – that's conversations, for the uninitiated – in March and April at Teatro’s Cultural Arts Center. A chance for community members to bring their stories, artifacts, and cultural symbols to the table, quite literally. These talks are going to be guided by Dr. Yvonne M. De La Rosa, known for her flair to effortlessly moderate such gatherings. It's all in the pursuit of capturing the tales that weave the fabric of Seguin's indigenous history.
Teatro De Artes De Juan Seguin's Board President Sulema J. Silva can barely contain her excitement: “What an amazing talent the NEA Our Town committee has found to engage our indigenous community in platicas. Ruben Esquivel exudes passion and a vast knowledge of our Indigenous brothers and sisters. We are anxious to begin our community platicas and watch Ruben bring those stories to life. What a gift we are leaving future generation through this collaborative work we are engaged in together.” she said, capturing the collective sentiment.
The painting's landscape on this artistic partnership includes contributions from local and state arts funds, with the project partially funded by the National Endowment for the Arts, the Texas Commission on the Arts, and the City of Seguin - Government.
