INAUGURAL RIO GRANDE VALLEY FINE ARTS SALON TO DEBUT AT THE HISTORIC BROWNSVILLE MUSEUM THIS SEPTEMBER
BROWNSVILLE, TX — July 2026 – S H E K A Y Fine Arts, in coordination with the Historic Brownsville Museum, is proud to announce the launch of the Rio Grande Valley Fine Arts Salon, a contemporary art exhibition and acquisition event bringing together artists, collectors, and cultural patrons from across the region.
The inaugural edition will open to the public on Thursday, September 24, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. at the Mary Yturria Education Center at the Brownsville Historic Museum, 641 E. Madison St.
Inspired by the historic 19th-century Paris Salons, the exhibition will feature a traditional salon-style installation, displaying artworks in a richly layered arrangement that fosters discovery, conversation, and the acquisition of original fine art. Over the past several months, accomplished artists from across the Rio Grande Valley and Northern Mexico have committed to participating under the curatorial direction of Mexican artist Joaquin Garcia Quintana.
The traditional salon-style installation within the Yturria Center creates a dialogue between classical European exhibition traditions and the vibrant contemporary stories of the Rio Grande Valley.
A portion of the proceeds will benefit the mission of the Brownsville Historical Association. The exhibition also honors the enduring legacy of artists Normah Knight, Ruth Young McGonigle, Maria Elena Bouchard, and Bartolomé Mongrell Mestre, whose contributions helped shape the Rio Grande Valley’s fine arts landscape.
McAllen artist Jessica Monroe will moderate a panel discussion featuring participating artists, offering attendees insight into the creative process and contemporary art in the Rio Grande Valley.
Tickets to the cocktail reception and Fine Arts Salon will be available starting August 24, 2026. Visit SHEKAY.com for all the details. Sponsorship opportunities remain available for individuals, businesses, and organizations interested in supporting the advancement of fine arts in the Rio Grande Valley.
About S H E K A Y Fine Arts: S H E K A Y Fine Arts is an independent South Texas initiative founded by writer, artist, and fine arts advocate Nydia O. Tapia-Gonzales. Through exhibitions, cultural events, and creative projects, SHEKAY Fine Arts fosters appreciation for the visual arts and strengthens connections among artists, collectors, and the broader community.
The mission of the Brownsville Historical Association is to preserve, educate, and promote the history, heritage, and cultural arts of Brownsville and its environs through exhibitions, educational programs, publications, cultural events, and archival collections.
Participating Artists: Marcela Arguelles Lawler, Jim Burkholder, Graciela García de Rendon, Joaquín García Quintana, Mario Godínez, Adriana Lash, Fafi Melguizo, Jessica Monroe, Lourdes Schoelkpoff, Nydia Tapia-Gonzales, Verónica Yaeger. There is still time for artists to submit their work for review by the guest curator. For information, visit our website or email us at contact@shekay.com
