By University Communications
Monday, 10 17 2022

A&M-SA celebrates opening of the Heller exhibit with a reception on October 20

SAN ANTONIO — Texas A&M University-San Antonio (A&M-SA) is celebrating a significant addition to the substantial collection of art across the Texas A&M University-San Antonio campus. On Thursday, October 20, at 6 p.m., A&M-SA will host the Heller Family Foundation Art Reception: Honoring the Heller Family and Lionel Sosa. The exhibit includes various Lionel Sosa paintings that the Heller Family Foundation has loaned to the University and which will be on display in the Science and Technology Building. The reception and exhibit will be open to the public. 

The exhibit of the collection, Rostros de Mi Gente or Faces of My People, by renowned San Antonio artist Lionel Sosa, is made possible through the generosity of the Heller Family. Ron Heller, a successful local businessman, was moved by this unique collection as he understands the value of the immigrant experience and the contributions of Hispanic culture and family values. He also understands the importance of the quality education available at Texas A&M-San Antonio, further inspiring him to loan the collection to the University.  

Faces of My People comprises oil-painted portraits of “every day” people. “Every face I see, I want to paint. Especially if it’s the face of an ordinary person. Especially if the painting can hang in a prestigious institution like Texas A&M-San Antonio,” said Sosa. “I paint people of every color because this is the Texas /Mexico borderlands. Where everyone belongs.” 

Sosa said he feels every face is beautiful and has its own character and story. 

“When I paint the faces of my people, whether brown like me, black, Mestizo, white or any other color, I paint their pride, their joy, their pain, their kindness, confidence, strength, humility and more,” said Sosa. 

Paintings featured in the collection include portraits of a grandfather, abuelo, who is one of dozens of male and female vaqueros of all ages in a setting at their ranches in the northern Mexico state of Sinaloa; a young woman, Sosa refers to as “Vaquera,” from the Cruz del Diablo ranch, who can ride and rope as well as her male counterparts; and a woman, who is a leader in her tribe in New Mexico; among other rich and diverse portraits. 

Heller, who has lived in San Antonio since 1987, met Sosa fifteen years ago and considers him a friend and a mentor. Viewing Sosa’s work, Heller contemplated buying all of the portraits, but under three conditions. The first was that the collection be displayed publicly in perpetuity for the public to view. The second condition was that Lionel chose the venue in which it would be housed. The third condition was that he paint Heller’s wife Rocio’s portrait and add it to the collection.

“Lionel graciously agreed and ask that the collection be housed at Texas A&M University-San Antonio,” said Heller. “We met with A&M-SA President Dr. Cynthia Teniente-Matson, and she loved and wholeheartedly embraced the idea. I am so gratified to have the Lionel Sosa portrait collection on display at the University for all to see and would like this to serve as our small contribution to a city and community who took me in 35 years ago.” 

“In addition to being a brilliant artist, Lionel is a long-time friend and supporter of A&M-San Antonio. This collection celebrates diversity and recognizes the importance of representation, both of which are consonant with our University values,” said Dr. Teniente-Matson. “We are honored to have Lionel’s work here for all to view. I’m grateful to the Heller Family for their generosity and for making it possible for so many to experience the beauty and the powerful message of this artwork.” 

Click here to view the official invitation.  

Dream Maker Scholarship Celebration 

The Heller Family Foundation Art Reception will precede A&M-SA’s Dream Maker Scholarship Celebration, honoring Judge Nelson W. Wolff, on Thursday, October 20 at 7 p.m. For more information, visit https://www.tamusa.edu/giving/foundation/dream-maker-luncheon.html  University President Dr. Cynthia Teniente-Matson, Chancellor of The Texas A&M University System John Sharp, and Judge Wolff will speak, among others. Head of Strategic Relations & Partnerships at San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Dr. Sandi Wolff, who serves as vice chair of the Texas A&M-San Antonio Foundation and chair of the Dream Maker Committee, and President and CEO of Conceptual MindWorks, Inc. and Texas A&M University Regent Elaine Mendoza will also be in attendance.

###

About Texas A&M University-San Antonio

Established as a stand-alone university in 2009, Texas A&M University-San Antonio is a comprehensive four-year public university that reflects the culturally diverse, heritage-rich community it serves. Situated on nearly 700 acres in South San Antonio, the University offers 37 undergraduate degrees and 19 graduate degrees to more than 7,000 students. A&M-San Antonio is home to the Henry G. Cisneros Institute for Emerging Leaders and the Cyber Engineering Technology/Cyber Security Research Center. The University holds the Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) designation and is one of only a few higher education institutions in the U.S. to have received the Seal of Excelencia certification from Excelencia in Education for its support of Latino student success. Seventy-seven percent of A&M-SA students identify as Hispanic/Latinx, and approximately 60 percent are the first in their family to attend college. A&M-San Antonio is a military-embracing institution; in 2020, Military Times ranked the University No. 35 in the nation for “Best for Vets: Colleges.” Visit tamusa.edu for more information. #onamission