“Borderlands-An Illustrated History by José Cisneros” Opens July 5 At MOST History

Photo above: José Cisneros at his home studio in El Paso during the early 1990s. Photo taken by Tom Fort, Curator of Exhibits at MOSTHistory.

Pen-and-ink drawings showcase borderland history

EDINBURG, Texas — A new temporary exhibit titled “Borderlands-An Illustrated History by José Cisneros” will open in the Cell Block Gallery in the 1910 Jail at the Museum of South Texas History on Tuesday, July 5.

This exhibit features a series of works that follow the historical timeline of the Rio Grande Valley. Some of these drawings will be featured alongside other artifacts and short summaries about each drawing. Selections of his art can also be found throughout the museum’s permanent exhibits, depicting moments in history and giving life to objects on display.  

MOSTHistory commissioned Cisneros to create a series of pen-and-ink, hand-colored drawings to be featured in “Borderlands: The Heritage of the Lower Rio Grande through the Art of José Cisneros,” which was published in 1998. Copies of this book are available for purchase at the Museum Store. 

“Borderlands-An Illustrated History by José Cisneros” will be featured in the Cell Block Gallery from July 5, 2022, to April 30, 2023. The Cell Block Gallery is a designated space for temporary exhibits. This new temporary exhibit will replace the gallery’s inaugural exhibit, “Faces de la Frontera.”

For more information about this exhibit, please visit www.mosthistory.org/events or call the museum at 956-383-6911.