Brownsville has always been rich in culture and talent. With new and old spaces reinventing and inventing themselves, there’s no doubt that there’s always something to enjoy in historic downtown Brownsville—where the humdrum of life seems to disappear for a while as you engage in the city’s art scene. As a result, in the heart of Brownsville, an art studio is flourishing once more, and you can experience it for yourself.
La Chicharra Studio is an intimate art space with bright, natural lighting that illuminates the colors of the artworks hung in the space, changing with every new exhibit that comes and goes. The studio is located at 1400 E. Madison St., just a short walk away from the well-known Carlotta K. Petrina Cultural Center, which promotes the arts to the local community. The cultural center is also where La Chicharra’s owner/director spent her time volunteering while studying at the university, teaching painting to students from low-income homes.
Ruby E. Hernandez Nazarío (she/her/hers), owner/director of La Chicharra Studio, opened her space in June 2021. After taking a two-year break from curating due to personal reasons, Hernandez Nazarío is ready to invite the community back into the studio and create opportunities for artists to grow like she did when she first emerged into the art world as a young artist.
Family, Childhood Memories, and Being Latine
Hernandez Nazarío is a Chicana artist born in Brownsville who does painting and printmaking. She has participated in exhibitions of her work in Brownsville, Matamoros, Harlingen, McAllen, Corpus Christy and Austin. While living in Zacatepec, Morelos, Mexico, at the age of 4, Hernandez Nazarío recalls the impactful memories she made during this time. Here, she saw the struggles that her mother and the women in her family endured.
Hernandez Nazarío’s artwork primarily deals with personal childhood memories, machismo and immigration-related issues. She shares these, hoping they will impact those who see her work. Her art often encompasses the unseen struggles that immigrants of Mexican American heritage experience.
In Mexican families, women typically bear the brunt of the housework. While machismo culture dominates Mexican families, Hernandez Nazarío was able to get an education and contribute to her community—breaking the cycle of what most women go through. After postponing her education due to a complicated family situation, Hernandez Nazarío earned her bachelor’s degree in studio art from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.
Today, many young women studying art can look up to Hernandez Nazarío as an example that they can also have a bright future. They can break the cycle and become women who start their own local businesses in the RGV or exhibit their work across various cities!
Bridging the Echoes of Generations
When asked what made her decide to open her studio in Brownsville, Hernandez Nazarío responded, “After COVID-19, I decided to open up my studio. I knew it had to be in Brownsville. Brownsville is where I’m rooted, I love the people and its rich culture.”
Hernandez Nazarío’s love for the people and the culture has always been evident. Last month, La Chicharra studio held “Bridging Echoes,” showcasing artworks by RGV and Northern Tamaulipas artists.
Some of these artists included Jesus Treviño and Sam Rawls, who are known for their work with Flower Shop Art Residency in Brownsville. Other artists, such as Gloria Zeledón and Cristhian Ivaan Adame Rangel, are from Matamoros, Tamaulipas del otro lado del Valle. All in all, the exhibit featured 23 artists and 33 art pieces on display from October 5 to October 25.
Hernandez Nazarío shared her thoughts on last month’s exhibit, “My purpose with this exhibition was to include as much local talent as possible and for artists to meet each other and display their artwork for the community to come and enjoy once again.”
Never Stop Your Support for the Arts
If you want to keep supporting the arts, stop by La Chicharra Studio in Brownsville. The second edition of “Matristic” is currently on display, an art show dedicated to womanhood, femininity and creativity. In a few weeks, “Reverence,” a show featuring prints by UTRGV printmaking students, will take place along with other workshops and painting nights.
Don’t let the idea that there is nothing here in the Valley influence and take hold of you. You can build community in art, and if there isn’t anything that interests you, then always know that you can start something yourself, just like Hernandez Nazarío once did when she decided to get an education and start her own business!
Support RGV Storytellers.
Rio Grande Valley storytellers need your support. Trucha, a 501c(3) non-profit, provides artistic opportunities to the community, with the help of our donors. Your contribution will help us continue our mission to empower our creative community of storytellers.
