By Joel Langton
For the first time in more than a year, the Del Rio Council for the Arts Firehouse Gallery hosted an artist’s reception Saturday after a year-long hiatus due to COVID.
They welcomed Andy Villarreal, a long-time artist and University of Incarnate Word professor who is showing off his unique and colorful Meso-American pieces.
When you step into the gallery, Villarreal’s big, bold creations pay homage to the Mayan culture and immediately grab the visitor’s attention.
“I’ve taken a lot of trips to the Yucatan and I’m very influenced by the Mayan culture,” Villarreal said. “Been there at least 12 times to different pyramids and cultural sites.”
Villarreal’s creations are unique. He starts with a simple design on paper, then draws the image on the wood. He then begins cutting the design with his saw, puts primer on the wood and then starts painting.
Villarreal is prolific when it comes to churning out art, having created more than 200 pieces over the past three years.
“I’m either teaching art or I’m in my studio creating it,” Villarreal said.
Villarreal’s art has been featured in several shows anchored by Richard “Cheech” Marin. Marin is an American stand-up comedian, actor, writer, activist, and renowned art collector who gained recognition as part of the comedy act Cheech & Chong during the 1970s and early 1980s.
Marin is an avid collector of Hispanic art and has several of Villarreal’s pieces in his collection.
People can see 18 of Villarreal’s pieces at the Firehouse, 120 East Garfield. Its hours of operation are Tuesday to Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
