(HARLINGEN) – Texas State Technical College will host, for the first time in South Texas, the Texas Writers Exhibit thanks to a $1,000 grant they recently received from Humanities Texas.

The exhibition produced by Humanities Texas, the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities, will be set up as part of the college’s third annual Humanities Symposium at TSTC’s J. Gilbert Leal Learning Resource Center from October 23 – November 17 and is open to the public.

This is the first time TSTC’s campus in Harlingen has received this grant.

Visitors will get to see, in a series of panels, portraits of authors, books, workplaces, narrative settings and quotes that all evoke a strong image, memory or feeling.

Kirk added that the goal of the exhibition is to generate in visitors a new awareness and appreciation for Texas literature and the American and Mexican authors that have contributed to the humanities and arts.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity to partner with Humanities Texas and bring this exhibit to our TSTC students and the Rio Grande Valley,” said Kirk. “The exhibit helps us support and sustain the humanities and art efforts already in place.”

To coincide with the exhibit, local writers will be on campus to present their literary work and engage with students and the community.

University of Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Professor of Communications Dr. William Strong will kick off the opening reception on October 23 for the Texas Writers Exhibit with a presentation on the contributions of Texas writers and how these stories inspired his Stories from Texas series.

Throughout the week TSTC will also welcome UTRGV Professor Emeritus in History Dr. Manuel Medrano with the Life and Writings of Americo Paredes on October 24, and Professor in Creative Writing Dr. Elvia Aldalani, with Christianity and Islam in Poetry: An Intersection of Cultures on October 26.

There will also be two local writer panel presentations on October 23 and 24 where writers will read samples of their works and discuss influences on the development of their stories.

“As an educational institution it is important that we provide opportunities for local writers to share their work and experiences with our students and community,” said Kirk. “And we’re grateful to have received great support from the TSTC grants office, administration and faculty for this event.”

Kirk said he encourages everyone to come out and enjoy what the Texas Writers Exhibit has to offer and to familiarize themselves with the cross-cultural literature that has shaped the areas of humanities and arts in Texas.

For more information or for a schedule of events call TSTC at 956-364-4758.