The Pecan Street Festival welcomes distinguished artist Amado M. Peña Jr. as Featured Artist for the Fall 2011 Festival, which runs September 24 and 25. Peña’s work, entitled, “Mestizo Series: I Walk in Beauty,” will be featured on the Festival poster and t-shirts, both sold at the event.

Mestizo Series: I Walk in Beauty by Amado Peña

Recognized as an Artisan of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe of Arizona, Peña’s distinctive southwestern art is known throughout the world. His work is part of the permanent collection at the Smithsonian Institution, and has been recognized with a star on Austin’s “Texas Walk of Fame”.

“Amado is major figure in the rich tradition of the Pecan Street Festival,” said Shannon Sedwick, President of the Old Pecan Street Association. “When the Festival was established in 1978, he had a colorful gallery on 6th Street, and was chosen to design its very first poster.”

Peña has also been the artist with the longest running participation in the three decades of the Pecan Street Festival’s bi-annual events. “In all the years it’s been going, I’ve only missed three shows,” said Peña. “I like coming home to Austin and seeing all my old friends, their kids, and grandkids— and I’m still finding new audiences for my work.”

Born in Laredo in 1943, Peña lived in Austin in the 1970s and 80s, working as an Art teacher at the newly established Anderson High, and later running a studio/gallery on 6th Street. Since becoming a full-time artist, he has assumed a educational leadership role, establishing The Amado and JB Peña Art Has Heart Foundation to encourage low and moderate-income students in Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico to further their education. He currently serves as an adjunct instructor at UT-Austin’s School of Education and runs a studio/gallery in Santa Fe New Mexico: www.penagallery.com

For more information contact: tamara@specialeventslive.com