Each May, families assemble at schools to see their children celebrate their growth with achievement awards.
Each May in Austin, the downtown community assembles at the Moody Theater to recognize people who have made significant contributions and outstanding improvements.
One of Cuero’s own, Sylvia Orozco, was honored by the Downtown Austin Alliance at this year’s event on May 27 with the Meredith Powell Award for Community Culture.
The award was named after Meredith Powell, the former executive director of Art Alliance, who elevated community voices in Austin and brought life to underutilized spaces through art.
Orozco was honored as the co-founder of the Mexic-Arte Museum 40 years ago in Austin.
In a YouTube video by the Downtown Austin Alliance, both of Orozco’s sisters, Emma and Cynthia, describe her early life as an artist and student at the University of Texas at Austin. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NRLTxKDK2M&t=168s
“And she studied in Mexico City,” Cynthia Orozco said. “At the time there was not enough information about Mexican art.”
Sylvia Orozco along with Pila and Sam Coronado started the Mexic-Arte Museum to educate about the Mexican culture and have point of pride.
According to State Representative Lulu Flores, she started the first Day of the Dead celebration in Austin and began collecting art from Mexico.
“They just started bringing art in their suitcases back,” Flores said, “from these wonderful artists in Mexico City to develop the bones of this museum.”
In addition to exhibitions, the museum hosts residencies, community and cultural events, as well as schools through their “Screen It” program.
Current Museum President Paul Saldana said Sylvia Orozco made it her vision for the past 41 years that people learn about Mexican art, to learn about the importance of cultural identities and the history of Austin.
“I’m happy to say we’re about to embark on the new multi-million dollar, Mexic-Arte Museum,” Saldana said. “Right here at 5th and Congress.”
Flores said she can’t wait to celebrate when the new building opens and shows Austin and the world “what our culture means to us.
“It’s all because of Sylvia’s dream and her drive,” Flores said.
