About the Cross Connections 2018 International Exhibition of Design & Illustration
The Cross Connections 2018 International Exhibition of Design & Illustration, a global collaborative project, consisted of a juried competition and exhibition hosted and curated by the School of Art and the College of Fine Arts at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV). The project promoted creativity, innovation, and the international trends of visual communication aimed at fostering design education through active global engagement.
Initiated in 2008, the project was also held in 2009, 2010, 2012, and 2013. The Cross Connections 2018 project included ten universities from around the world. 96 artworks were chosen from a total 251 entries. These came from ten participating higher education institutions and finalist were selected by a professional jury committee.
The selected works, included 80 print-based works and 16 screen-based works. The exhibition showcased a fusion of international works that crossed cultures, disciplines, and conceptual contemporary design. All selected artwork was on display at the ten institutions of higher education as well as at museums during the Fall of 2018.
We would like to extend our sincere thanks to all external participating institutions and, internally, to our Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Patricia McHatton and the Dean of the College of Fine Arts, Dr. Steven Block, who helped with funding, advice, and the logistics of putting together a traveling exhibition.
Constance Cortez, Ph.D.
Director
The School of Art
Marialice Shary Shivers Chair in Fine Arts
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Edinburg, Texas
constance.cortez@utrgv.edu
Editor at large, The Art Bulletin
College Art Association