February 7 – March 7, 2026
Opening Reception with the Artists: Saturday, February 7, 6–8 PM. Free and open to the public.
Live music by Vanessa Nates and Héctor Alfonso Torres González
El Corazón is an exhibition that celebrates the profound and universal symbolism of the human heart—a subject that has long captivated artists as a representation of deep emotion, love, vulnerability, sacrifice, and passion. Over the years, El Corazón has become one of the Bath House Cultural Center’s longest-standing and most cherished gallery traditions. Even after many years, the exhibition continues to inspire artists to create highly original, time-relevant, and deeply personal interpretations of this timeless theme.
Throughout art history, the heart has appeared as both a literal and symbolic form, carrying layers of cultural, spiritual, and emotional meaning. In religious art, the Sacred Heart emerged prominently in European painting and sculpture as a symbol of divine love, compassion, and sacrifice, often depicted aflame or encircled by thorns. In Mesoamerican cultures, the heart represented life force and cosmic balance, frequently appearing in ritual imagery connected to renewal and devotion. Centuries later, artists such as Frida Kahlo reimagined the heart as a site of personal narrative and emotional truth—most famously in works where exposed or wounded hearts convey physical pain, emotional resilience, and identity. These varied historical uses underscore the heart’s enduring power as a visual metaphor that transcends time and geography.
For this exhibition, the curator, Jose Vargas, and the Bath House Cultural Center invited Texas artists to explore the theme of the heart through their own unique perspectives and artistic voices. The participating artists contribute to a distinguished tradition that honors both the expressive power of the heart and the remarkable diversity of artistic talent in our community. Their works engage the heart not only as a symbol of love and passion, but also as a vessel for memory, loss, strength, healing, and connection.
El Corazón features eighty-three works of art that encompass a dynamic range of styles, media, and techniques, reflecting the many ways artists continue to find new meaning in this enduring symbol.
Participating Artists: Trish Allen, Paulina Altamirano, Carina Alvarado, Lynn Armstrong, Miguel Angel Avila, Wendy Barkett, Jon Black, Jim Brightwell, Teresa Calderon, Cynthia Castillo, Cynthia Castillo, Erica Con, Oscar Contreras, Gabby Cornelio, Jacqui Daniels, Gail Dauer, Dale DuBord, Kristen Elzey, Peggy Espinel, Celine Espinoza, Pam Ewell, Tija Falkner, Yvonne Faulkner, Victor Ferretiz, C. Cristabel Fonseca, Leticia Garcia, Crystal Garrett-McEwen, Corey Godfrey, Gustavo Gonzalez, Marcos Tobias Grimaldo, Robert Hamilton, Andie Hamilton, Melanie Hardy McVey, CJ Hochevar, Audrey Hong, Danny Hurley, Daniele Jones, Kathryn Kneip, Ivanevid L, Heather Lampe, Sarah Landreau, Rebecca Lansdowne-Collins, Franklin Laws, Braulio Lazón-Conde, Alison Ledbetter, Renae Lesley, J. Salvador Lopez, Rómulo Martínez, Caleb (Red) Massey, Rheazel Mast, Stephen D. McDaniel, Bobby Miller, Nayeli Miranda, Miss Sue, Karla Mora Mora, Karen Musgraves, Lisa Nigro, Nancy Ofori, Angel Ohome, Jennifer Oropeza, Julio Antonio Oseguera Jiménez, Georgina Padilla, Laura Pappas, Eric Joseph Pouncie, Cadence Reddoch, Reyes (Noin) Rivera, Marie Santiago, Evan Sartin, Raúl Servin, Pam Stern, Dayana S. Stetco, Jay Torres, Jay Torres, Mandy Trull, Jose Vargas, Malati Vasudevan, Carmen Villarreal, Sherry Wade-Hockett, J Alan Whiteside, Keith Williams, Rebecca Winslow, Kyle Wood, Byron Zarrabi, Robbie Zeske, and Vladimir Zúñiga.
