OLLU presents ‘Mujeres: Pride of the Westside’

OLLU presents ‘Mujeres: Pride of the Westside’

Exhibit highlights the work of Westside women to celebrate Women’s History Month

Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) presents “Mujeres: Pride of the Westside,” an exhibit featuring the work of eight women from OLLU and San Antonio’s Westside community. Opening ceremonies for the exhibit will take place March 5 at 6 p.m. in Providence Hall, Blue Room.

“Mujeres: Pride of the Westside” is a group exhibition featuring the work of eight women from San Antonio’s Westside community. Debora Kuetzpal Vasquez, the OLLU Visual Arts program head, curated the invitational exhibition and selected the work of the women for their dedication to women’s issues and their various perspective on personal empowerment.

“I love curating women exhibitions! Historically women’s art has been put on the back burner and not given the recognition it rightfully deserves. It is my life’s work to bring attention to the inequities toward women in art and every facet of our lives,” said Vasquez. 

The “Mujeres” exhibit will include drawings, paintings, woodcut prints, and a film short by Alyssa Garcia, Charlotte Gardner, Jane Madrigal, Destiny Mata, Sabrina Newsome, Mary Agnes Rodriguez, Elizabeth Rodriguez, and Bianca Swingley. All of the participants currently reside on San Antonio’s Westside. 

Destiny Mata lives in San Antonio and New York City, yet her roots are deeply ingrained into the Westside. This is apparent in her award-winning film, “Working For Mi Gente,” which will be screened during the opening reception. Mary Agnes Rodriguez was born and raised on the Westside. Rodriguez illustrates culture and events that occur in the area. Charlotte Gardner is originally from Chicago, but has lived near OLLU for the past 15 years. Gardner’s work reflects African and Mexican American culture through the lens of a Black woman. Bianca Swingley is from El Paso, Texas, and is attending OLLU to obtain her degree in Fine Arts. Swingley’s work is a metaphoric view of a mother-daughter relationship. 

Sponsors of the event include the OLLU Visual Arts Program, the OLLU Center for Women in Church and Society and the OLLU Center for Mexican American Studies and Research.

Works will be on display through May 15.