SAN ANTONIO, Texas — San Antonio artist Vincent Valdez will meet visitors and give away prints from his “The New Americans” drawing series Saturday, Oct. 3, at the Guadalupe Latino Bookstore, sharing artwork that portrays people, communities and scenes from across the United States.
The event will begin at 2 p.m. at the bookstore at 1300 Guadalupe St. Visitors can meet Valdez and take prints home to share within their own communities.
Valdez created “The New Americans” as a portrait of resistance. The series features detailed drawings that explore Latino history, identity and communities across the country.
His work also addresses difficult chapters in American history, including the lynching of Latinos and the displacement of communities.
One drawing in the series depicts American labor leader and activist Dolores Huerta.
Valdez receives MacArthur ‘genius grant’
The event comes shortly after the MacArthur Foundation named Valdez a recipient of its fellowship, commonly known as a “genius grant.”
The fellowship provides Valdez with $800,000 over five years without restrictions on how he uses the funds.
Valdez also serves as the ACLU of Texas’ artist-in-residence. The program examines how art can build community and contribute to a more inclusive Texas.
The Saturday event will give visitors an opportunity to engage directly with Valdez’s work and take copies of his drawings into their communities.