ABOUT OSO BAY
Celebrating South Texas Art Since 1979
The Oso Bay Biennial has showcased exceptional artists across 23+ iterations, establishing itself as a cornerstone of contemporary art in South Texas. Hosted by Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi, the biennial brings nationally recognized exhibitions to our community, making significant contemporary art accessible to all.Our Mission
We believe art builds community, celebrates cultural identity, and connects people across boundaries. Through thoughtfully curated exhibitions, educational programming, and community partnerships, the Oso Bay Biennial creates opportunities for dialogue, discovery, and cultural celebration.
Oso Bay Biennial XXIV: Soy de Tejas
This iteration represents our most prestigious exhibition to date—a nationally acclaimed survey of contemporary Texas Latinx art. Opening September 2026 during Hispanic Heritage Month, Soy de Tejas marks the inaugural exhibition in TAMU-CC's new downtown gallery, removing barriers and welcoming our entire community to experience art that reflects our regional identity.
Free admission. Open to all.
ABOUT SOY de TEJAS
Soy de Tejas: A South Texas Survey of Latinx Art
Soy de Tejas (I Am From Texas) celebrates the vibrant voices of contemporary Texas Latinx artists exploring identity, place, and Chicanx experience. This nationally significant exhibition showcases artists who are shaping conversations about culture, belonging, and what it means to be Texan.
The Exhibition
Originally curated by Rigoberto Luna and featured at California's Riverside Art Museum in partnership with Cheech Marin, Soy de Tejas has garnered national attention for its powerful representation of Texas Latinx artistic excellence. Glasstire, Texas's leading contemporary art publication, extensively covered the exhibition, noting its importance in "connecting Latinx artists across the state." Now, this extraordinary exhibition comes home to South Texas, where 65% of our community shares this cultural heritage.
The Curator: Rigoberto Luna
Rigoberto Luna is a San Antonio-based independent curator, arts advocate, and co-founder of Presa House Gallery, a vital platform for contemporary art in San Antonio's Southtown Arts District. Luna originated Soy de Tejas: A Statewide Survey of Latinx Art with a vision to amplify Latinx artistic voices and create connections across Texas's diverse creative communities.
Luna's curatorial philosophy emphasizes what Glasstire described as "curating community care"—an approach that prioritizes authentic representation, artist support, and creating exhibitions that resonate deeply with the communities they serve. This commitment makes him ideally suited to bring Soy de Tejas to Corpus Christi, where the exhibition can connect with the majority-Latinx community it was created to celebrate and serve.
Through Luna's vision, Soy de Tejas transcends traditional gallery exhibitions, becoming a celebration of cultural identity, a platform for artistic excellence, and a testament to the richness of Texas Latinx creative expression.
Why Corpus Christi
In a majority-Latinx city, Soy de Tejas offers our community a rare opportunity to see cultural experiences reflected in professionally curated contemporary art. For many Corpus Christi residents who face barriers to major museums in San Antonio, Houston, or Austin, this exhibition brings nationally significant art directly to our downtown. Luna's community-centered curatorial approach ensures the exhibition honors our region's cultural identity while introducing our community to some of Texas's most compelling contemporary artists.
The Artists
Featured artists represent diverse practices across painting, sculpture, photography, mixed media, and installation. Each voice contributes to a larger conversation about Latinx identity in contemporary Texas.
See Exhibition Details
Join Us for Special Programming
Curator of Soy de Tejas Exhibition
Friday, April 10, 2026
10:30 AM
TAMU-CC • Bay Hall 104
Free and open to the public
Join us for an intimate conversation with Rigoberto Luna, San Antonio-based independent curator and co-founder of Presa House Gallery. Luna will discuss his curatorial practice, the development of Soy de Tejas: A Statewide Survey of Latinx Art, and the vital role of community-engaged curation in honoring Latinx narratives.
Schedule
10:30 AM - Artist Talk & Q&A
12:00 PM - Lunch Break
1:30 PM - Studio Critiques & Visits with Graduate and Advanced Students (by invitation)
This visit is supported by the Topsy Endowment, which brings distinguished visiting artists and scholars to TAMU-CC.
Soy de Tejas opens September 2026 at TAMU-CC Galleries.
VISIT THE EXHIBITION
Two Locations | Free AdmissionExhibition Dates: September 2026 - January 2027 (Exact dates TBD)
TAMU-CC Downtown Gallery
233 N. Chaparral Street | Hours TBDIn the heart of Corpus Christi's downtown
Weil Gallery
Center for the Arts Building, 1st Floor, TAMU-CC6300 Ocean Drive, Corpus Christi, TX 78412
Monday – Friday, 10:00am – 5:00pm
VISIT THE EXHIBITION
Two Locations | Free AdmissionExhibition Dates: September 2026 - January 2027 (Exact dates TBD)
TAMU-CC Downtown Gallery
233 N. Chaparral Street | Hours TBDIn the heart of Corpus Christi's downtown
Weil Gallery
Center for the Arts Building, 1st Floor, TAMU-CC6300 Ocean Drive, Corpus Christi, TX 78412
Monday – Friday, 10:00am – 5:00pm
FEATURED ARTISTS
Cande Aguilar
Land of Peace
Snacks Cocas Aguas Tostadas con Chile
Cash Chair
Fernando Andrade
Pastel de Piña y Mango
Pinata de Piolin
Patsy
Pastel de Durazno
Los Muppets
Piñata de Joan
Pastel de Fresa
Pastel de Cereza
Primer Cumpleanos
Melissa Gamez-Herrera
Adentro de la casa de Tonantzín Nava de Allende, Coahuila, MX
Tonantzín Nava de Allende, Coahuila, MX
Norma Villa de Cd. Acuña, COAH, MX
Afuera de la casa de Angelica Hernández, Piedras Negras, Coahuila, MX
Adentro de la casa de Enriqueta Perez, Cd. Acuña, COAH, MX
Consuelo Hernández, Piedras Negras, COAH, MX
Camerina Mariano, Piedras Negras, COAH, MX
Guadalupe Lara Castellano, Acuña, COAH, MX
Adentro de la casa de Consuelo Hernández, Piedras Negras, COAH MX
A Sticker of Fernando Purón, Juanita Velásquez de Piedras Negras, COAH, MX
Adentro de la casa de Camerina Mariano, Piedras Negras, COAH, MX
Omar González
Lineage (diptych)
Fatherly Dilemma
Ruben Luna
El Baile de Rico y Lola
Pon la Sillas Juntas
Alejandro Macias
Man on Fire III
Ascension III
Turning Point
Juan de Dios Mora
Mano Que Alimenta Se Respeta
!Ya Basta Con La Rabia!
Canícula
Jaylen Pigford
And the arrow isn't done yet
The little white flag
Josué Ramírez
American Bust
Portrait of a Gentrifier
Gentrified House 1
Gentrified House 2
Natalia Rocafuerte
Three Dreams
Gil Rocha
Otras Fronteras
Esto Cala
2 Lugar
Eva Marengo Sanchez
Enchilada Plate To-Go
Dad's Still life
Ashley Elaine Thomas
Candles (Triptych)
Window View on John Street
José Villalobos
QueeRider: Joto
QueeRider: Maricon
QueeRider: Fem
Sarah Zapata
Towards an ominous time II
How often they move between the planets
Ⓒ 2024 TAMU-CC University Galleries
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