2024 Recipients of the Tom Lea Research Fellowship
Dr. Hilda Sotelo’s research will examine Tom Lea's art, specifically "Dream of a Fair River, Yangtze," to analyze gender roles and their representation in mid-20th-century America, contrasting them with the socio-cultural context of Lea’s era. Dr. Sotelo is an Adjunct Faculty in the UTEP Women’s and Gender Studies Program.
Jeralyn Barbie’s research will explore the "Wild West" artistic genre in post office murals across Texas, analyzing historical context and techniques. The research aims to understand the way in which Tom Lea captured the essence of Texas in the “Comanches” mural and complete the documentation surrounding its storyline. Jeralyn Barbie is an undergraduate UTEP student majoring in Anthropology and History and will be advised by Dr. Elisabeth Sommer, Assistant Professor of Instruction, in the UTEP Department of Art.
Emiliano Zapiain’s research will involve a digital reconstruction of Tom Lea's landscapes in Minecraft, focusing on “Lonely Town”. The reconstruction will serve as a virtual museum, with digital versions of Lea's paintings accompanying text that will complement the player's experience. Houses in the village will have different interior themes, such as Lea's war period or time in the East. Emiliano Perez is an M.F.A. candidate in Bilingual Creative Writing at UTEP and will be advised by Dr. Lex Williford, Associate Professor, in the UTEP Department of Creative Writing.
Carlos Castro’s research will explore Tom Lea’s art in the border region of Las Cruces, El Paso, Juarez, and Chihuahua. The study will include the historical relationships between firsthand documents, biographies, interviews, letters, and exhibitions into a holistic view of his art. Carlos Castro is an undergraduate UTEP student majoring in Psychology and will be advised by Dr. Paul Edison, Associate Professor, in the UTEP Department of History.
Facundo Torrieri and Carlos Tapia Vaca’s research will explore Tom Lea's multi-media work, focusing on symbolic intersections and contemporary media possibilities. Using 11 audiovisual arcana, including paintings, literature, and prints, the pair will discover and express Lea's main themes and motivations by selecting figures, icons, and ideas that express his superlative. Torrieri and Tapia Vaca are M.F.A. candidates in Creative Writing at UTEP and will be advised by Bernardo Jauregui, Assistant Professor of Practice, in the UTEP Department of Latin-US and Linguistics.
Michelle Ramirez.
Fellows responded to our special call for the year 2024. We are now receiving applications for the regular 2024 cycle. Three fellowships will be awarded through a competitive selection process. For more information on how to apply, visit our home page.
