Another cold, wet and rainy day. I wanted to see some art and Selena’s memorial. Selena was a young Texas girl who was destined to become the Hispanic Madonna; beautiful voice, talent, an already star-studded singing career at age 23 when she was gunned down by her fan club president. There is a brief story of her life at this link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selena
I’m not even familiar with her music, but there is a sample of it at the Wikipedia link. I just remember the anguished messages I would read on passing cars after her death, signs painted on their windows. Justice for Selina. We love you Selena. Selena lives. Her fans were heartbroken. I promised myself I will download some of her music someday soon.
The shoreline drive was grey and wet and we stopped into the Art Center of Corpus Christi with their clever motto being: Life Is Short, Art Is Long.
They have several galleries featuring local artists, a nice lunch spot and the exhibits change every month. Quality work, here. One artist, Ty Heintze stood out from the rest. A small charcoal drawing sells for $5,000. He has won many awards. (No pictures allowed in the galleries.)
You can photograph in the student rooms, a huge area featuring middle school and high school artists. I found the most interesting, three portraits made by different students, using a disciplined method of rendering the whole drawing with a finger pressed in ink.
The portraits themselves are quite compelling, but the method is unique, and great practice for students.
Much harder than it looks, as you can imagine.
The art center clay studio was closed this day, but the frame around the gallery was also a treat. Eight inch tiles, each about an inch thick, formed the trim around the door. Each tile done by a different student.
Surprisingly innovative and three dimensional. The Art Center suggests to me that there is a very vibrant arts community in Corpus Christi.
We moved on to The Texas Surf Museum out of curiosity.
It is mostly walls and walls of various surfboards. Various types and styles from the past and present.
I found that surf boards can be as personal as their owners.
The museum is a combination shop and museum about people who love, love, love their sport. There are tender messages, and eulogies to those notables who inspired others and passed.Autographed boards, many,many pictures and three different videos to watch.
The only place you are likely to see a surf board dressed in a shirt and outfitted with a video player. There are three places to watch surfing adventures on video.
This is a meeting,or class, surfboard style.
Surfing can be individual or competitive or just part of a social club.
But the most endearing photos were of disabled and blind adults and kids being guided through the joys of surfing by club members.
The sheer joy on their faces tells the tale.
Avid surfers will enjoy this museum much more than we did. It is a special community. But, the joy in these photos warmed me.
It was a great way to wait out the rain.
And, the shop owner recommended Kikos Mexican restaurant as a family owned, distinctive and delicious place to eat. And, it was. My order was chicken enchildadas with chili gravy, (raw onions came on the side) and a guacamole cup. The chips and salsa were superior, no salt on the chips and the salsa distinctively different, and good. It is located on Everhart St. just blocks off San Padre Island Drive.
You won’t be disappointed.
Que Sera, Sera... Whatever Will Be, Will Be... 