September 10 - October 8, 2009

Literary East Texas: A Exhibit of Photographs Honoring
25 East Texas Writers

New to Eastfield College, this exhibit features 25 chosen of more than 200 well-known East Texas writers. The photographs bring to life the places and events mentioned in the fiction of these authors. The exhibit illustrates specific passages and visual documentation to identify locations.

The breadth of the exhibit encompasses the entire eastern half of Texas from the Red River through the Piney Woods to the Gulf Coast. Writers include J. Mason Brewer, considered America’s foremost Black Folklorist; Siddie Joe Johnson, former Director of the Children’s Department of the Dallas Public Library and author of well known children’s stories such as Debbie, New Town in Texas, and Cat Hotel; William Goyen whose extraordinary literary career included novels, short stories, plays, and non-fiction.

Some of the 25 writers are Madison Cooper, Suzanne Morris, Garland Roark, Elizabeth Forsythe Hailey, William Brammer, Jewel Gibson, Frank X. Tolbert, Francis E. Abernethy and many others. On loan through Humanities Texas and with funding from Student Life, Literary East Texas is sure to be of particular interest to students and Instructors and general interest to the public.

October 1 - October 30, 2009

Carlos Fuentes: His Life & Works

In conjunction with a celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month and special contributions of the Mexican author, Carlos Fuentes, the library will arrange a small display of books by Carlos Fuentes, articles about his books and the movie, Old Gringo, based on his book by title of Gringo Viejo. Other items will be copies of criticisms of his works, a biography, and synopsis of the movie. Carlos Fuentes is considered one of the best known novelist, essayist, and historian of Latin America. His works reflect his earnest devotion to the politics and culture of Mexico. He has won countless awards for his writings and regularly submits essays and articles to Spanish magazines and journals. The movie, The Old Gringo, will be shown in the Performance Hall on October 7th from 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. followed by Dr. Chris Conwell from UTA who will speak on the life and works of Carlos Fuentes. We cordially invite you to join us in honoring this important author.

October 12 – November 9, 2009

Lone Star and Eagle: German Immigration to Texas

During the 1840s, immigrants left their homeland of Germany and their familiar cities of Hesse-Darmstadt, Kurfiessen, Munsterland, Brunswick, Overlausitz, Mecklenbury-Strelitz, Waldeck, Anhalt, and the Wetzlar-Braunfels area to settle in the Lone Star State. After the failed German uprisings of the 1830s and the revolution of 1848, people seeking a better way of life filled with hope and freedom gravitated to the Republic of Texas. Posters promising free passage and land in exchange for assisting with the fight for Texas Independence lured many idealistic German immigrants. One such man was John Dunst, the “Paul Revere of Texas” who rode twelve and a half days to warn of Santa Anna’s invasion.

This thoroughly entertaining exhibit brings to life the journey of the immigrants from their arrival in Indianola, now a ghost town, to their new settlements such as Fredericksburg, New Braunfels, and Sisterdale. Others chose to concentrate in established towns such as San Antonio, Houston, and Galveston. The German immigrants made profound contributions to the arts and influenced among other things, architecture, music, dance, drama, and religion. On loan through Humanities Texas and with funding from Student Life, Lone Star and Eagle is not to be missed. Please join us in celebrating the remarkable legacy of the German immigrants in Texas.

November 10 – November 30, 2009

Honoring Native Americans

In honor of Native American Heritage Month, we offer three Library owned exhibits highlighting famous Indian Chiefs as well as descriptions of their life styles. Indians: The First Americans includes black and white drawings along with short description of Yellow Lodge, a Plains Indian of the Sarci tribe; Diablo, Chief of the Coyotero Apaches; Alice Frank Spott of the California Indians; Chief Joesph of the Nez Perce tribe; a Nootka Indian of the Northwest; and an unknown Eskimo Chief.

Native American Leaders presents colored posters with drawings, sketches of life, and brief descriptions of Chief Seattle, leader of the Pacific Northwest Suquamish and Duwamish tribes; Sequoyah of the Cherokee Indians; Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce tribe; Sitting Bull of the Sioux tribe; Osceola, a Creek who lived with the Seminole Indians in Florida; Geronimo of the Apaches; Tecumseh of the Shawnee Indian tribe; and Black Hawk from the Sauk tribe.

American Indian Shields reveals four well-known themes used by Native Americans. Buffalo Shields, the Raven and the Bear, Thunderbird, and Southwest Indian – Eagle Kachina and Gahan Cross are shown in the form of visually enticing kites with streamers that will be hung in the upper windows of the library.

December 1 – December 24, 2009

Christmas Celebrations Around the World

A combination of several library owned exhibits, Christmas Celebrations & Traditions Around the World will highlight some of the usual ways in which the holiday is celebrated such giving candy canes and Christmas cards, decorating the tree, having a Yule log, stuffing stockings, and singing Christmas carols. The manner in which other cultures celebrate includes Las Posadas, Kwanza, Chanukah, Ramadan, and the Chinese New Year.

February 1 - 28, 2010

Honoring African Americans

In honor of African American History Month, we offer a combination of several exhibits owned by Eastfield College Library encompassing both historical and contemporary famous Black personalities as well as the major events in the Civil Rights movement. These exhibits pay homage to the dedication and determination of African American men and women who changed the face of America.

Small but powerful and rarely exhibited, African American Artists is composed of eight posters with titles such as Approaching Storm, Design Made of Airlie Gardens, The Eclipse, The Janitor Who Paints, School’s Out, Going to Church, Brothers, and The Library.

Afro-American Texan features various time periods and the influence of African American in Texans. Estaban in Texas, The Story of Kiamata Long, The Republic of Texas Years, After the Civil War, and Illiteracy Was Widespread are but a few of the posters in this exhibit. Not often displayed, this exhibit is very informative.

Black Innovators highlights the achievements of such famous people as Charlie Parker, Madam C.J.Walker, Elijah McCoy, George Washington Carver, Mary McLeod Bithune and several others.

Historic Black Personalities includes fourteen posters of historically famous African American people such as Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, and George Washington Carver.

Contemporary Black Personalities is composed of fourteen posters of well-known entertainers, athletes, politicians, and leaders such as Oprah Winfrey, Michael Jordan, Doug Wilder, and Colin L. Powell.

Astronauts, musicians, sports figures, politicians, and educators comprise the next exhibit entitled 20th Century Black Personalities. Coretta Scott King, Ella Fitzgerald, Alex Haley, Nelson Mandela, Rosa Parks, Thurgood Marshall, Desmond Tutu, Hank Aaron, and Guion S. Bluford Jr. are some major figures highlighted in this exhibit.

March 1 - 29, 2010

Honoring American Women's Contributions

In honor of the contribution of Women in the United States, the library offers a combination of four exhibits covering both historical and contemporary women of America. These four exhibits offer an excellent basis for appreciating the contributions of women in the United States.

American Women includes eight posters of such famous women as Eleanor Roosevelt, Clara Barton, and Babe Didrikson Zaharis.

Women of Hope: African Americans Who Made a Difference reveals the lives and works of many women such as Alice Walker, Ella J. Baker, and Maya Angelou.

Women of Hope: Latinas – Moriendo Camino is an exhibit of twelve posters showing the lives and works of Sandra Cisneros, Adriana Ocampo, and Tania Leon among others.

Finally, the last exhibit entitled Women Who Made a Difference is a small but powerful discussion of such women as Harriett Tubman, Louisa May Alcott, Amelia Earhart, and Elizabeth Blackwell who changed the course of history in the United States.

April 5 – May 3, 2010

The Way Things Were: Texas Settlers and Their Buildings 1860s - 1930s

Composed of twelve panels front and back, this exhibit features the vision of Texas settlers and a reflection of their sense of community and family life in their buildings. Various types of houses are highlighted such as log houses and dogtrots, farm houses and barns, school houses, and other community buildings such as banks, churches, and courthouses. Some photos prove the temporary quality of tenant’s shacks. Clapboard houses were all too familiar and often owners lacked the money to paint or repair. Many houses were simply abandoned when a farmer lost his struggle with the land. Those who stayed usually managed to replace temporary buildings with more permanent structures of finished wood or stone. A sense of permanence and decisiveness is apparent in some photos.

After the basic needs of food and shelter had been addressed with houses and barns, other community buildings became the focus. One room school houses, country stores, churches, and banks became the mainstay of most towns. This informative exhibit shows the struggles and demands of settlers and the pride of community reflected in their buildings. On loan through Humanities Texas and with funding from Student Life, The Way Things Were will be of interest to a wide audience.

May 4 – 29, 2010

Honoring Hispanic Americans

Eastfield College Library is proud to offer several exhibits that reveal the wealth of influence and achievements accomplished by famous Hispanics. Simon Bolivar, Cesar Chavez, and Pablo Picasso are several people whose lives and works are featured in Hispanic Heritage.

Women of Hope: Latinas-Moriendo Camino features the diligent work of several famous Latino women including Miriam Calon, Adriana Ocompo, Julia Alvarez, Ana Sol Gutierrez, Antonio Pantoja, Helen Rodriguez-Trias, Dolores Huerta, Amalia Mesa Bains, Nydia Vilazquez, Tania Leon, and Antonia Hernandez.

20th Century Hispanic Americans presents the contributions of Robert Clemente, Nancy Lopez, Federico Pena, Antonia Hernandez, Linda Ronstadt, and Fernando Valenzuela. Others highlighted are Rita Moreno, Henry Cisneros, Jose Feliciano, Gloria Estafan, Edward James Olmos, and many more.

Questions or Comments Regarding Library Services?

Contact the Librarian III.