Sam Coronado Papers

Born on July 12, 1946, artist, community leader, and entrepreneur Sam Coronado has a history of support and advocacy for Hispanic and other minority causes. He has participated in organizations ranging from a coalition examining economic development in the city of Austin, Texas to a Texas Commission on the Arts advisory panel. He was nominated as Texas State Artist of the Year for 1988 – 1989.

Coronado began his artistic career in 1969 as a technical illustrator for Texas Instruments. After a brief stint in the Army, he attended El Centro College in Dallas, Texas where he received an Associate of Applied Science degree in Drafting and Design. He then attended the University of Texas at Austin, graduating in 1975 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree.

Coronado began painting in oils and acrylics early in his career. However, experimenting in various media techniques, he soon discovered his passion for printmaking and serigraphy, a stenciling method in which an image is imposed on a canvas by forcing ink through a screen of silk. He established Coronado Studios in 1987, an art studio specializing in screen-prints. With work that is characterized by a strong bi-cultural influence, Coronado’s art has been shown in the United States, Europe, Mexico, and Africa. In addition, he has illustrated books and magazines published in the United States, Mexico, and France. Many of his creations have attained a level of national prominence, such as “Baile de Calacas I”, an acrylic on paper published in Hispanic Magazine, and “Tejano Santa,” a print given as a gift by President and Mrs. George W. Bush to Kenneth Lay of Enron notoriety.

In 1983, Coronado co-founded Mexic-Arte Museum in Austin, Texas. Mexic-Arte was designated the state’s official Mexican and Mexican American art museum in 1984 by the 78th Legislature of the State of Texas. This interest and support in Hispanic artworks led to his founding the highly influential and successful Seríe Project, a non-profit organization created in 1993 to create and promote serigraph prints by emerging and under-represented artists in a workshop environment.

Coronado has taught design and lectured on Hispanic art and printmaking in a variety of museums, art schools, and universities throughout the United States and abroad, including: The University of California, Berkeley, Universidad Veracruzana in Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico, and Museo de Arte Moderno in Medellín, Columbia. In addition, in 1991 he became an Associate Professor at Austin Community College in Austin, teaching Design and Illustration courses.

In 2004, Coronado underwent heart valve replacement surgery. In order to assist with his medical expenses, the artistic community came together and hosted Puro Corazon!, a silent art auction and fundraiser that included live music, food, and drinks. Over 50 artists donated works. Coronado passed away in November 2013.

The Coronado Studio web site, including images of Coronado's artwork, can be found at www.coronadostudio.com