Leo Rivera left the Rio Grande Valley to get his art training and education at a Denver-area design school. It was in Colorado where the Harlingen native did his first large-scale wall mural. Rivera was active in the Denver arts scene for 11 years after graduating from the Rocky Mountain College of Art & Design. Returning home in 2020, Rivera set off to work as what he calls an “artist…
The McAllen Wind Ensemble website reads that the group was established in 1973 by local music supporters and “sparked by Bill Wilson’s inspiration from plaza bands in Mexico.” But who is Bill Wilson? Bill Wilson was not a musician who wanted to start his own band. He was a man who saw a need and fulfilled it without fanfare. He was an Oklahoma native and led his high school band…
The Thanksgiving turkey and tamales are already a savory memory. Holiday lights sparkle throughout our communities. But nothing says “most wonderful time of the year” quite like music. In McAllen, a revered town band has spread the spirit of Christmas for over 50 years. The McAllen Wind Ensemble is actually the third name of the group, which was established in 1973. Businessman Bill Wilson brought the idea home to McAllen…
The International Museum of Art & Science invites families and residents of Mission, Alton and surrounding communities in Hidalgo County Precinct 3 to partake in a day of learning and connection at the Veterans Memorial Pavilion in Mission. The event, “Beyond the Exhibits: Outreach at the Pavilion,” will take place on Sept. 20 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will feature interactive activities for all ages. The event includes…
The International Museum of Art & Science will host its premier black-tie fundraiser, the 46th annual Collage Gala, on Sept. 6. IMAS will honor John Sharp, retiring chancellor of the Texas A&M University System, in recognition of his leadership and impact on education and public service throughout the Rio Grande Valley. “The Rio Grande Valley is a place we’re proud to call home, and IMAS represents the heart of what…
Quinta Mazatlan and The Valley Land Fund are currently hosting the annual nature photography contest for kids, Southern Exposures. The contest offers prizes for every child who enters, including cash and a photo feature in the Award Winning Exhibit. Photographs should have a nature or wildlife theme and must be taken in the Rio Grande Valley. “Observing and photographing nature is an enriching hobby that helps your child learn in…
Downtown Edinburg has lost much of its luster with aging infrastructure and block after block of lawyers’ offices filling up what were once retail spaces. For one day at least, on May 1, downtown was buzzing again. It was the day when the new Hidalgo County Courthouse celebrated its much-delayed completion and the venerable Citrus Theater marked its rebirth with a grand reopening event. Frustrations mounted in recent years over…
Annelise Rosas’ growing-up years in Monterrey and Austin left a yearning for another city of her youth. Brownsville is the place where Rosas feels the most comfortable. The Rio Grande Valley’s largest city is the best fit for the interchange of languages she speaks. In Monterrey, Rosas was seen as an American and a bit of an outcast despite being the daughter of Mexican-born parents. The view of her in…
The International Museum of Art & Science is continuing its Young Adventurers program, thanks to funding from a PNC Foundation grant. The program provides accessible early childhood learning opportunities to children ages 1 to 6 with an accompanying adult, emphasizing the importance of play and exploration in fostering early STEAM skills. Young Adventurers is an educational program offering monthly weekday morning workshops from 10-11 a.m. Each session introduces a unique…
Edinburg’s opening of its new Arts & Cultural Events Center marks a new commitment by the community to build upon its “city of festivals” designation. The 36,000-square-foot facility was opened with much fanfare in late 2024. Having such a downtown-area venue to host art exhibits, live performances and community events has long been a dream for Edinburg leaders active in local arts. The Edinburg Arts & Cultural Center is located…