Mind Windows: The Art of Roberto Rios

Mind Windows: The Art of Roberto Rios celebrates more than 50 years of work by artist Roberto Rios. The exhibition will be on view at six locations throughout San Marcos between January and March 2023.

This city-wide exhibit is partially funded by grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and the San Marcos Arts Commission.

About The Artist

Born in 1941, Rios grew up in San Antonio. His love for art developed at his local public library where he read about art history and taught himself to paint by example. In his paintings, one finds references to the art seen in books, but in a fantastical style all his own. The first retrospective dedicated to this important artist, Mind Windows features work from his time as a founding member of Con Safo, a San Antonio-based group that helped to define the Chicano Art movement; through to his work as a well-known muralist and as a Medical Scientific Illustrator for publications produced by Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio. Rios retired to pursue his faith—eventually becoming a Catholic Deacon in 2008—and continues to paint to this day.

_{Roberto Rios painting Flight mural for the Airmen Heritage Museum at Lackland Air Force Base, 1978.}

I imagine the brain as having rooms, where images and dreams come to stay. There are doors to each room and in them there are windows. Opened windows invite imagination in, allowing us to dream. Through windows of the mind life can change. 

- Roberto Rios

See The Works

Mind Windows: The Art of Roberto Rios will be on view at six locations throughout San Marcos between January and March 2023. 

Price Center
January 14–February 25, 2023
HOURS: Wed-Fri 12-5pm; Sat 10am-3pm

Walkers’ Gallery
January 17– February 25, 2023
HOURS: Mon-Thu 6am-9pm; Fri 6am-7pm; Sat 10am-5pm

San Marcos Public Library
January 14– March 5, 2023
HOURS: Mon-Thu 9am-9pm; Fri 9am-6pm; Sat 10am-6pm; Sun 1-6pm

Texas State Galleries
January 17–March 5, 2023
HOURS: Mon-Fri 9am-9pm; Sat-Sun 12-6pm

Centro Cultural Hispano de San Marcos
January 17–March 5, 2023
HOURS: Tue-Fri 2-6pm; Sat 10am-2pm

San Marcos Art Center
January 17–March 5, 2023
HOURS: Wed-Fri 11am-5pm; Sat 10am-5pm; Sun 11am-5pm

This exhibition is a partnership between the Texas State Galleries at Texas State University, the San Marcos Art League, the Walkers’ Gallery, Centro Cultural Hispano de San Marcos, the Price Center, and the San Marcos Public Library, with support from the National Endowment for the Arts, the San Marcos Arts Commission and the City of San Marcos. 

_{Roberto Rios, Awake and Alert, 1985, acrylic on canvas, 48 x 69 inches.}

Events

All events are free and open to the public.

Reception
January 21, 2023 4-6pm
At 4:15 pm - In Conversation: Interview with Roberto Rios about his work by art writer Lauren Moya Ford, followed by conversation and refreshments.
The Price Center
222 W. San Antonio St.

Exhibition Shuttle Tour
February 5, 1-4pm • REGISTER HERE
February 18, 10am-1pm • REGISTER HERE
This shuttle tour event will take passengers to four of the six venues exhibiting art as part of "Mind Windows: The Art of Roberto Rios." Begins and ends at Centro de Cultural de Hispano San Marcos.  
211 Lee St.
Registration is free.

Roberto Rios Film Screening
April 26, 6:30pm
Q&A with Roberto Rios and Walley Films to follow
Texas State Galleries at Texas State University, Joann Cole Mitte Building, lecture hall 2121
233 West Sessom. Parking information HERE.

_{Roberto Rios, Los Amantes (The Lovers), 1977, acrylic on canvas, 50 x 36 inches.}