|
|
|
|
Thursday, October 1
2 p.m.
Butterfly Wings and Tom Lea
- Presentation by Rosa Guerrero, José Mario Sánchez Soledad, and Guillermo Martínez
- Lydia Patterson Institute Chapel, 517 S. Florence St., 915 533-8286, ext. 10
After witnessing the heroism of allied warriors during World War II, Tom Lea began writing about subjects close to his native frontera. Black fighting bulls became his passion and in 1949, Little, Brown and Company released his first novel, The Brave Bulls. Enchanted by the “bellering of brave bulls” and the “swish” of the matador’s fighting cape, Tom Lea spent weeks in Mexico studying the lineage and breeding of bulls and the art of bullfighting. “Trying to put [his] ear to the beating of that bullfighter’s heart, the bull, too,” inspired Tom to both write and illustrate his story. El Paso dancer and educator Rosa Guerrero demonstrates the elegant movements of a matador through the music of the bullfights, Paso Doble, while José Mario Sánchez discusses Tom Lea’s artistry in capturing the capote tricks. Jalisco matador Guillermo Martínez performs the movements live with admirable skill, including the flight of his matador cape resembling butterfly wings.
(Above: The Brave Bulls, cover page, 1949. Pen and ink, 8" X 5½". Collection of the Harry Ransom Center, University of Texas at Austin. © James D. Lea)
Friday, October 4
6-9 p.m.
White House Pastries, Fashion,
and Old Mount Franklin
- Presentations by Roland Mesier, Zayra Estrada, and Josey Mitchell
- El Paso Community College Administrative Service Center, 9050 Viscount Blvd, Bldg. B, 915 831-2150
- Dresses on view Oct. 6-Jan. 31 at Mills Building Promenade, N. Oregon St
In 2001, White House pastry chef Roland Mesnier made a dessert for guests who contributed to the decoration of the Oval Office. Mesnier’s cake was in the shape of the Oval Office and included a sugar rendition of Tom Lea’s Rio Grande, which hung in George W. Bush's office for eight years. Chef Mesnier recounts being hired by Roselyn Carter and serving five presidents of the United States. He also signs his bestselling books. Actress Josey Mitchell reads Tom Lea’s Old Mount Franklin, while El Paso fashion designer Zayra Estrada presents her Tom Lea Collection of dresses, with stunning models bringing his matadors, soldiers, Indians and abstract designs to life. El Paso Community College’s Culinary Arts Program creates pastries inspired by Tom Lea artwork. A culinary, fashion and literary evening, not to be missed!
Call 915-533-0048 or visit www.TomLeaInstitute.org for tickets
Saturday, October 4
10 a.m.
Fort Bliss Historical Tour
- Old Fort Bliss Replica Bldg. 5054, Pleasonton Rd., 915-533-0048
- Led by Wanda Kienzle
As a young boy, Tom Lea enjoyed listening to band concerts at Fort Bliss every Sunday while sitting in the family car on the parade grounds. When the band played John Philip Sousa, everyone would honk! Gen. John J. Pershing was a friend of his dad’s, and once when Tom was confined to home with scarlet fever, Pershing took a detour off his parade route to wave to Tom in his bedroom upstairs. Little did Tom know that in 1941 his first drawing commissioned by LIFE magazine would be of a trooper from Ft. Bliss’ First Cavalry Division. Participants visit the oldest parts of the Post in this tour and explore the Old Fort Bliss Replica, given to the base as part of its centennial celebration. The old fort holds period rooms that reproduce daily life in 1857 when troops guarded the area against Apache attacks.
Sunday, October 5
noon-5 p.m.: Reception
The 1949 Sun Carnival Artist Reunion
- Hal Marcus Gallery, 1308 N. Oregon, 915 533-9090
- Presentations by Holly Cox, Derrell E. Hiett, Hal Marcus
and Kevin Wells
- On View Oct. 5-Nov. 12
- Lecture: Thursday, Oct. 30, 6-9 p.m.
The Hal Marcus Gallery recreates the original 1949 Sun Carnival Art Exhibit, celebrating its 65th anniversary. Organized by the Southwestern Sun Carnival Association, the exhibit originated in Sunset Heights at the El Paso Technical Institute located at Rio Grande & Oregon – now part of El Paso Community College. Among the artists who exhibited their artwork was Tom Lea, who displayed Mexican Feed Cart and The Deathless White Pacing Mustang (1948, oil on canvas, 18” X 24”. Collection of the Harry Ransom Center, University of Texas at Austin. © James D. Lea). Lea was also chosen to design the cover page of the Sun Carnival program for that year. The exhibition continued for many years and served to establish El Paso as an art center whose visual arts reached far beyond the city’s boundaries. Today many of the artists widely recognized for their artistic achievements include Manuel Acosta, José Cisneros, Fremont Ellis, Eugene Thurston, Fern Thurston, Barry Atwater, Kate Ball and Berla Emeree.
Sunday, October 5
“Sundays with Tom Lea” Movie Screenings
El Paso Public Library main branch, 501 N. Oregon St., 915 543-5433
1 p.m.: The Brave Bulls
3 p.m.: The Sun Also Rises
TOM LEA MONTH IS FUNDED IN PART
BY THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF:
Betty Ruth Williams Wakefield • Bill & Ann Kiely
Casa Ford Lincoln Nissan • Dan and Joann Longoria | Mattress Firm
El Paso Community College Fashion Design, Culinary Arts and Cosmetology Programs • El Paso Times • Hunt Family Foundation
Jack and Evonne Cardwell • National Trust for the Humanities
Raymond Palacios | Bravo Cadillac • Robert and Maureen Decherd
Talegate and the Tom Lea Trail • Texas Monthly • Wells Fargo Bank
Humanities Texas • Western Refining • Jobe Materials
El Paso Convention and Visitors Bureau • El Paso Electric
Texas Commission on the Arts • Junior League of El Paso, Inc.
Texas Women for the Arts • Sierra Providence Health Network
EVENTS PLANNED ALL MONTH LONG;
MOST ARE FREE TO THE PUBLIC.
FULL SCHEDULE: CLICK HERE
|
|
|
|
ABOUT OUR SPONSORS
|
| Tom Lea Month is made possible by the support of our community. Learn about our generous sponsors HERE. |
|
|
ABOUT THE TOM LEA INSTITUTE
• Sponsors Tom Lea Month annually.
• Works to build a comprehensive digital library for his art, illustrations, letters, photographs and press, making them available to students, researchers and the public.
• Publishes material related to Lea’s life and work.
• Advises on projects and scholarship.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
