BIO

Every man must be unclassifiable. Neither architect, nor painter, nor decorator, nor plastic artist, nor sculptor, etc.

- Joaquin Torres-Garcia

Born in Matanzas, Cuba

Lives in San Antonio, Texas

Felix Padrón is a visual artist, curator and commentator. His artworks have been exhibited widely and published in the New York Times, the New Yorker and the former Noticias del Mundo.

Padrón is also a retired arts management professional with over twenty-five years experience in the arts non-profit sector. He is proficient in cultural policy, cultural planning, program development and management, grant writing and brand positioning. He dedicated 15 years serving as the Executive Director of the City of San Antonio Department for Culture and Creative Development - managing a multi-million annual portfolio that supported five creative areas including grant making, creative place making, film, cultural facilities, and strategic initiatives.

Before becoming director, Padrón served six-years creating and implementing the San Antonio’s first Public Art Program. His responsibilities required a deep understanding of the need to foster collaboration and coordination between artists, design professionals, city officials, and community representatives.

Padrón served on multiple regional and national commissions including the American Academy of Arts & Sciences’ Arts Commission, SMU DataArts, Texas Arts Commission for the Arts, Americans for The Arts, and Texans for the Arts (Past President).

He holds the distinguished Taiwan Arts Ambassador Title awarded by the Taiwan Council for Cultural Affairs, in Taipei,Taiwan.

CV

BFA, School of Visual Arts, NYC.

Completed coursework in the Public Art Studies Masters Program at University of Southern California. AAD, Fashion Institute of Technology.

Honors & Awards

2011- Taiwan Cultural Ambassador Award

2011- Juneteenth Legacy Award
2010- Avenida Guadalupe Ernest Olivares Culture Award
2009- San Antonio Opera Bravo Award

1999- San Antonio Express News: Top twenty most influential people in San Antonio’s Arts & Culture
1994- Public Arts Studies Fellowship- University of Southern California
1988- Artist in Residence- Bronx Council for the Arts, Bronx NY.

Exhibitions

2017- Habits of Liberty. Solo Show, Dock Space Gallery, San Antonio,

2000- Texas A San Antonio Profile. group show,- Blue Star Art Space, San Antonio, Texas

1999- SAY2KPASA: Group Show -San Antonio Airport, San Antonio, Texas

1999- San Antonio Collects:Group Showcase -Blue Star, San Antonio, Texas

1999- Palmas y Puros: One Man Show -Joan Groan Gallery, San Antonio, Texas

1999- Electropico:Collaborative Installation -Photo Real Gallery, San Antonio, Texas

1999- The Egg "Objet d art":Group Show-Galeria Expresión, San Antonio, Texas

Curator: Diana Kelsey Parker

1998- En El Punto Medio: One Man Show -Primary Object Gallery, San Antonio, Texas

1998- Latin American Art & Artists in San Antonio: Group Show -Centro Cultural Aztlan, San Antonio, Texas

1998- Blue Star: Group Show-Blue Star Art Space, San Antonio, Texas

1995- Colores Del Alma-Group Show- Babylon Gallery, San Antonio, Texas Curator: Terry Ibañez

1995- Pacoima Vaughn Street-Mixed media temporary out-door installation, Pacoima California- Curator: Felix Padrón, Pacoima Vaughn Street Gang

1994- Violence I and II-Mixed media mural- Temporary out-door installation, Temple Beaudry Field Los Angeles California, Curator: Robert Moreno, Felix Padrón

1988- Works on Paper: One Man Show- Artie's Warehouse, NYC

1988- Botanica Works: One-Man Show- El Viejo Yayo Gallery, Brooklyn NY.

1986- Art for all Seasons:Group Show- Longwood Gallery-Bronx, NY. Curator: Fred Wilson

1986- Fresh Fruit for Rotten Vegetables:Group Show- A&P Gallery, NYC. Curator: Andrew Castrucci

1985- Visual Journalism Graduate Program Exhibition:Group Show: School of Visual Arts, NYC- Curator: Marshall Arisman

1985- One-Man- Show -J.W. Thompson Agency, NYC.

Curatorial

"Broadway 2000"- San Antonio Central Library Gallery/ June-July 2000 Exhibit exploring an urbanistic and architectural vision for Broadway Avenue in San Antonio.

“Roland Rodriguez: Architectural Constructions”- San Antonio International Center May – August 2000. Exhibit exploring Mr. Rodriguez his vision of blurring the line between art and architecture.

"El Arte Que Nos Mueve"- Airport Art Spaces- San Antonio International Airport. February 2 - April 30, 1999/ Exhibit highlighting the idea of corporate support for the arts.

“The Fountain Project: Blue Star on Fred Road” Deco District on Fredericksburg Road, San Antonio, Texas Nov. 1- Dec. 12, 1998. Curator and coordinator of a public art exhibit that explored the artist and architect collaboration process for designing fountains for selected sites. .

“Trans / Fusions”San Antonio International Center September 1- October 10, 1998.Co-curator with Michael Mehl of a site specific photography exhibit exploring the work of David Silvan

"Rolando Briseno: Back to the Table"-The Center for Spirituality and Art / 4707 Broadway, San Antonio, Texas 78209/ November - December 1997. Exhibit tracing the table theme in artist Rolando Briseno's works.

"Urban smArts: An After School Collaboration Exhibit"-San Antonio Central Library Gallery, July 18- August 18, 1995. Exhibit designed to highlight the art produced by youths and professional artists who collaborated in the Urban SmArts program.

"People Places and Ideas: An Art Exhibit Program for the Office of the City Manager and Mayor"-San Antonio City Hall. October 1995- September 1998. A rotating exhibition designed to promote the artwork of San Antonio visual artists.

"Airport Art Spaces"- San Antonio International Airport/ January 1995- November 1997. A rotating exhibition program designed to promote and showcase the wide range of contemporary art of San Antonio and Texas.

Publications

The New Yorker Magazine:NYC, Editorial Paintings/ Art Director: Chris Curry

The New York Times: NYC, New York Editorial Drawings for the OP-ED Page/ Art Director: Jerell Kraus

Noticias del Mundo: NYC. Editorial Drawings for ENFOQUES page, Editor: Claudio Campusano

Rockefeller Foundation Illustrated: NYC. Editorial Paintings/ Art Director: Jack Beck