AUSTIN, Texas (March 8, 2005) - The public is invited to attend the opening reception for "Espinas y Esperanzas: An Exhibit of Works from the Ricardo and Harriett Romo Collection of Mexican American Art Prints" on Wednesday, March 23, 2005, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., on the first floor of the Nettie Lee Benson Latin American Collection on the campus of The University of Texas at Austin.

Both Dr. Ricardo Romo, president of the University of Texas at San Antonio, and Dr. Harriett Romo, an associate professor of sociology at UTSA, will give a gallery talk.

In the course of the last several years, the Romos have donated to the Benson Collection over 350 art prints by contemporary Latino artists to form an extensive research collection. The thirty prints selected for the exhibit include works by Malaquías Montoya, Rupert García, Tita Griesbach, Julio Eloy, Sam Coronado, Yolanda López, Yvette Flores and Larry Yáñez. The exhibit was curated by Arturo Almeida, Curator and Art Consultant for the University of Texas at San Antonio.

Malaquías Montoya's print La Cruzada inspired the exhibit title. In it, cactus spines and barbed wire note the danger in crossing the U.S.-Mexico border. A brilliant red sun on the horizon offers hope that a brighter future lies ahead.

The exhibit is the third annual ¡A Viva Voz! celebration of U.S. Latino culture sponsored by the Benson Collection. The exhibit also coincides with the 30th anniversary of the Mexican American Library Program which was established to provide library research materials for students of Mexican American and U.S. Latino culture and history

The Nettie Lee Benson Latin American Collection is located in Sid Richardson Hall, Unit 1, on the east side of campus at the northwest corner of Red River and Clyde Littlefield Drive (formerly Manor Road). Parking is available in Lot 38, adjacent to Sid Richardson Hall, with entry from Red River Street.

The Nettie Lee Benson Latin American Collection embodies more than 80 years of The University of Texas at Austin's commitment to create and maintain a specialized research library dedicated to the culture and history of Latin America and of U.S. Latinos. The Benson Collection is part of the University of Texas Libraries.

Contact:

• Ann Hartness
• Head Librarian, Nettie Lee Benson Latin American Collection
• University of Texas Libraries
• hartness@mail.utexas.edu