Sam Coronado Papers, 1970-2008

Biographical Sketch

Born on July 12, 1946, artist, community leader, and entrepreneur Sam Coronado has a history of support and advocacy for Hispanic and other minority causes. He has participated in organizations ranging from a coalition examining economic development in the city of Austin, Texas to a Texas Commission on the Arts advisory panel. He was nominated as Texas State Artist of the Year for 1988 – 1989.

Coronado began his artistic career in 1969 as a technical illustrator for Texas Instruments. After a brief stint in the Army, he attended El Centro College in Dallas, Texas where he received an Associate of Applied Science degree in Drafting and Design. He then attended the University of Texas at Austin, graduating in 1975 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree.

Coronado began painting in oils and acrylics early in his career. However, experimenting in various media techniques, he soon discovered his passion for printmaking and serigraphy, a stenciling method in which an image is imposed on a canvas by forcing ink through a screen of silk. He established Coronado Studios in 1987, an art studio specializing in screen-prints. With work that is characterized by a strong bi-cultural influence, Coronado’s art has been shown in the United States, Europe, Mexico, and Africa. In addition, he has illustrated books and magazines published in the United States, Mexico, and France. Many of his creations have attained a level of national prominence, such as “Baile de Calacas I”, an acrylic on paper published in Hispanic Magazine, and “Tejano Santa,” a print given as a gift by President and Mrs. George W. Bush to Kenneth Lay of Enron notoriety.

In 1983, Coronado co-founded Mexic-Arte Museum in Austin, Texas. Mexic-Arte was designated the state’s official Mexican and Mexican American art museum in 1984 by the 78th Legislature of the State of Texas. This interest and support in Hispanic artworks led to his founding the highly influential and successful Seríe Project, a non-profit organization created in 1993 to create and promote serigraph prints by emerging and under-represented artists in a workshop environment.

Coronado has taught design and lectured on Hispanic art and printmaking in a variety of museums, art schools, and universities throughout the United States and abroad, including: The University of California, Berkeley, Universidad Veracruzana in Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico, and Museo de Arte Moderno in Medellín, Columbia. In addition, in 1991 he became an Associate Professor at Austin Community College in Austin, teaching Design and Illustration courses.

In 2004, Coronado underwent heart valve replacement surgery. In order to assist with his medical expenses, the artistic community came together and hosted Puro Corazon!, a silent art auction and fundraiser that included live music, food, and drinks. Over 50 artists donated works. Coronado currently resides in Austin.

The Coronado Studio web site, including images of Coronado's artwork, can be found at www.coronadostudio.com

Scope and Contents Note

Correspondence, clippings, photographs, printed material, sketches, prints, and art slides (inclusive dates 1970–2008, 2 linear feet) record the life and work of artist Sam Coronado. Coronado’s    Personal and Biographical series (1970 and undated, 3 folders) consists of those papers that document his personal life. These include his curriculum vitae, diploma from El Centro College, artist statements, and biographical statements.

The    Organizations and Task Forces series (1995–2004, 4 folders) contains the materials that document Coronado’s professional association with various groups. Included in this series are materials concerning Coronado’s work as an instructor and art professor at Austin Community College such as instructor guidelines, syllabi, and course descriptions. Other items in this series include meeting minutes and notes, surveys, forms, budget information, and other materials.

The    Correspondence series (1984-2006, 2 folders) contains personal correspondence, cards, EBay communications, and invitations. Most notable are documents concerning Coronado’s nomination for Texas State Artist of the Year.

The fourth series,    Exhibits/Shows (1999–2006, 11 folders), records many of the exhibitions around the world where Coronado’s work has been shown. Some of the items found in this series include flight and travel information, exhibition programs, artwork labels, travel guides, and children’s artwork. Also present here are materials concerning the Puro Corazon! Silent Art Auction and Fundraiser. This subseries contains bid receipts, loan agreement forms, artist information forms, and other materials pertaining to the benefit.

The    Creative Works series (undated, 11 folders) contains original prints and sketches. It also contains voluminous amounts of art slides and photographs of Coronado’s works of art. The majority of the slides and photographs are currently unidentified. Exhibit announcements pertaining to Coronado’s exhibitions and shows which do not have an exclusive folder in the Exhibits/Shows series can be found in the Printed Materials series (1995 – 2008, 1 folder).    Printed Materials includes one folder of exhibit announcements.

The    Collected Materials series (1981–2008, 4 folders) focuses on materials not created by Coronado, including clippings, magazines, newsletters, and exhibition flyers and announcements for other artists, among other items. Assorted Collected Materials contains a French coffee book given to Coronado entitled Bar 2000 written by Stefano Benni.

The    Oversized Items subseries contains a mounted clipping dated January 27 – February 2, 1988 entitled “Gente y Sucesos y Gentes y Obras,” a large poster announcing “Sombras del Sueño” dated February 7, 1992, an undated mounted biographical statement, and assorted clippings (1981-1994), newspapers (1986–1999), and magazines (1998-2000).

Additions to the Sam Coronado Papers are ongoing and more unprocessed materials may be available for research.

Restrictions

Access Restrictions

Unrestricted.

Use Restrictions

Standard copyright restrictions apply.

Related Material

Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Cite as: Sam Coronado Papers, Benson Latin American Collection, University of Texas Libraries, the University of Texas at Austin.

Box and Folder Inventory