By Amanda A. Taylor-Uchoa

HARLINGEN, TEXAS – JULY 23, 2025 – For UTRGV alum Keatan McKeever, opening Castro Gallery with her husband, filmmaker and writer Michael Flanagan, is more than a personal milestone – it’s a homecoming rooted in artistic vision, collaboration and community connection.

McKeever, a Brownsville native, and Flanagan, from McAllen, recently launched the gallery in Harlingen’s thriving downtown scene, creating a space that showcases regional and international talent while nurturing a vibrant creative community.

“We’ve talked about opening a gallery together for years,” McKeever said. “After working in and visiting artist-run spaces throughout our travels, it felt natural to return home.”

SHAPING THEIR VISION

The idea for Castro Gallery began while McKeever curated a series of exhibitions at UTRGV as part of a Presidential Research Grant she received while completing her MFA in 2021. At the same time, Flanagan was producing art-based documentaries involving collaborations with galleries, museums and artists.

“We decided to combine our experiences and open a gallery showcasing work from our own collection while also working with regional and international artists to develop relationships with local museums and collectors,” Flanagan said.

Their vision blends traditional exhibitions with experimental programming, inspired by artist-run spaces such as Art of This Century in Houston and Food in New York. Flanagan described Castro Gallery as a place interested in functioning both as a business and as an “artistic intervention in an urban setting.”

The gallery’s collection features work by celebrated artists such as Vernon Fisher, Andy Warhol, Terrell James, Mark Flood and Corita Kent, alongside regional artists including Chris Leonard, Rachel Comminos, Josh Castillo and Sarita Westrup. Works from the collection will rotate periodically, complemented by original programming developed with individual artists.

(Courtesy graphic)

Their next show, “Chris Leonard and John Wesley Coleman III,” opens Friday, July 25, with a reception from 6 to 10 p.m. at 602 W. Harrison Ave., Suite D, Harlingen.

UTRGV MENTORSHIP AND CURATORIAL ROOTS

For McKeever, Castro Gallery extends the curatorial and community engagement work she refined during graduate studies at UTRGV.

“The MFA program at UTRGV was an incredibly positive experience,” she said. “It helped me hone what I wanted to bring to my community.”

Mentorship also shaped her journey. She credits former MFA program chair Dr. Christin Sperry-Garcia for her early support and professor Tim Gonchoroff for encouraging her exploration of new artistic mediums, including papermaking.

HONORING HISTORY, BUILDING A CREATIVE FUTURE

Looking ahead, McKeever and Flanagan hope to help strengthen the Valley’s creative infrastructure. While the Valley has long encouraged artistic work, Flanagan noted that many artists have historically left the region to pursue sustainable careers elsewhere.

“In recent years, that’s begun to change with artists achieving significant successes,” he said. “We hope to use our experience to help nurture a more sustainable environment for artists here.”

McKeever’s advice for current UTRGV students pursuing careers in the arts reflects that same spirit of initiative: “Pursue opportunities while you’re still a student. Collaborate with your professors and local artists, seek out resources and create your own exhibitions. Everything you do now will help you develop the skills and confidence you’ll need to pursue your goals.”

As Castro Gallery looks toward future exhibitions and workshops, McKeever and Flanagan envision it growing into a cultural anchor for Harlingen’s downtown, connecting artists and audiences in meaningful ways.

For more information about upcoming exhibitions and programs, follow Castro Gallery on Instagram at @castrogallerytx.