Rising Eyes of Texas 2022
31 Artists, 17 Texas Schools
Each year, undergraduate and graduate students in the visual arts take center stage in the Rising Eyes of Texas, a juried exhibition now celebrating its fifteenth year at Rockport Center for the Arts.
“The Rising Eyes of Texas show is a glimpse of the future of contemporary art in Texas,” said Elena Rodriguez, curator of exhibitions for Rockport Center for the Arts. “It’s amazing knowing these artists, who are at the start of their artistic journey, have amazing careers ahead of them.”
Scheduled for March 4–April 3, the exhibition is free and open to the public. This year’s event features the work of 31 artists from 17 universities and colleges across Texas, including Abilene Christian University, Baylor University, Southern Methodist University, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, Texas Christian University, and the University of North Texas.
Featured works include paintings, sculptures, video art, prints, and more, with the top three “best in show” artists receiving a share of the $1,000 purse supplied by the Christopher and Jessica Giesey Rising Eyes of Texas Scholarship Fund.
Winning entries will be selected this year by esteemed juror Joseph Cohen, artist, co-founder and owner of Davis Cohen Art, a Houston-based art consulting and appraisal firm with expertise across many categories of fine and decorative art.
A reception with the participating art students, their faculty and Cohen will be held on Saturday, March 5, from 5–7 p.m. at Rockport Center for the Arts. The evening’s event also coincides with the Rockport Art Loop, a free, alfresco, walkable art experience held on designated Saturdays throughout the year. The March Art Loop event is 5–7 p.m. and also features exhibits at an additional seven galleries located in downtown Rockport.
Formerly trained in painting, including an MFA degree from the University of Texas-San Antonio, Joseph Cohen is an award-winning artist whose diversity of thought and experience are central to his work. Although the Houston-based artist has participated in numerous solo exhibitions and residencies throughout his career, one of his most unique claims to fame came by chance: collaborating with scientists to invent a nano-paint that can provide early detection of cancer and other diseases when incorporated into a litmus test.
“I illustrate nanomaterials' unique characteristics through my art, the research of which enables me to address how we create and understand our surroundings,” said Cohen. “Integration of artist/researcher/scientist isn’t merely superficial since it has resulted in tangible discovery and patents from our collaborations. Our ability to expand limitations of thought and share our diverse experiences has pushed the boundaries of art, and has contributed to the creativity of research labs for which true discovery can incubate.”
Juror Joseph Cohen shows us his favorite pieces in the exhibition
