Beeville, Texas — In celebration of Community College month, Coastal Bend College is proud to spotlight longtime faculty member Luis Peña, an artist, educator, and advocate for the arts, who has been a cornerstone of the CBC community for nearly 29 years.
Peña, a professor in the Art Department, has dedicated his career to teaching a wide array of artistic disciplines and preserving the cultural richness of Hispanic heritage through visual storytelling. His recent art exhibition at CBC marks not only a personal milestone, but also a renewed effort to revitalize the Art Department and celebrate the power of community through creative expression.
“My goal has always been to bring back the strength and presence of the Art Department,” said Peña. “When artists come together, our work becomes more powerful, more meaningful. That’s what drives me—collaboration and culture.”
Born and raised Catholic, Peña often incorporates religious iconography into his work,including a recent series inspired by the Stations of the Cross. His exhibition also features landscapes, portraits, and sacred images that reflect both his personal beliefs and artistic journey—from his early academic years at Texas A&M and UTSA to the present day.The exhibition also ties into cultural observances such as Día de los Muertos, an event Peña describes as a tribute to Hispanic heritage and an opportunity to share beliefs through art.
“This isn’t just about paintings on a wall,” he said. “It’s about honoring our culture, our community, and our stories.”
To help bring this vision to life, Peña invited fellow artists Jose Ramirez and Cal Garcia to contribute to the show, incorporating diverse media including printmaking, painting, and drawing. The result was a vibrant, collaborative effort that resonated deeply with attendees and reflected the department’s enduring spirit.
“Art is not dead,” he emphasized. “It’s alive in what we’ve done and what we continue to do. I’ve brought back some of my past work, but also what I’m creating now—because that leads us to the future.”
In addition to his own contributions, Peña praised his colleagues for their hard work and dedication. “They did a great job,” he said. “We’re all working to revive something meaningful—not just for ourselves, but for the next generation of artists.”
His decades of service, creative leadership, and commitment to cultural celebration have left an indelible mark on CBC’s campus. As Peña continues to mentor students and showcase his work, he remains focused on the same mission that inspired him nearly three decades ago: strengthening the arts through community, collaboration, and passion.