Pon la Mesa

Pon la Mesa artist bio

Jose Chapa (b. 1967) is a self taught artist who developed his love for art as a young child. He grew up in the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois and fondly remembers field trips to the grand museums of Chicago. In sharp contrast, his summer travels to visit family in Monterrey, Mexico allowed for him to take in the contemporary art museums of Monterrey. Further family journeys took him to the muralist paintings of Mexico City and the ancient Aztec pyramids and drawings that all became great influences in his work. Travels through Mexico also allowed Jose to appreciate the detailed craftwork of Mexico’s artisans. These influences helped shape his artistic spirit and eye for well-crafted objects. Jose has a Bachelors Degree in Marketing from The University of Houston, Main Campus. After graduation, Jose worked for Brink Design International, a designer and manufacturer of contemporary home accessories, and was General Manager of a manufacturing facility in Monterrey, Mexico in the mid-1990s. During this time, he explored artmaking techniques including glass blowing, aluminum casting and metal embossing (repujado). Using the repujado technique, Jose launched his own line of metal menu covers for the hospitality industry in 1997. Throughout the last decade, Jose has collaborated with artists in the fashion and home design industries. His own work has been exhibited in galleries and private art collections. Jose’s community involvement has included service in various non-profit and neighborhood organizations, including Jump-Start Performance Co. (Board Member, Capital Campaign Manager and performance collaborator), The Martinez Street Women’s Center (fundraiser, bookkeeper), San Anto Cultural Arts (Board Member) and Southtown Main Street Alliance (Board Member).

Diverse Cultures/One Land

The Corn Crib

Museo Paseo

Pon la Mesa

Collaborators

Architect:

Darryl Ohlenbusch, AIA

Educators:

Margaret Bennett

Jessica Zei

Pon la Mesa

Pon la Mesa has been made possible through Education and Health & Human Services Grants from the Arts Respond program of the Texas Commission on the Arts.

Pon la Mesa is part of Land Heritage Institute’s Museo Paseo

Museo Paseo is a growing series of trail-accessed art installations along Los Caminos Naturales and the Chaparral Trail, 18+ miles of hike/bike/bridle trails throughout the 1200 acres of Land Heritage Institute wilderness, riparian woodlands and historic homestead areas. These include Ansen Seale’s The Corn Crib and Nancy Cavender Garcia, et al’s Diverse Cultures/One Land.

Museo Paseo Project Director:

Penelope Boyer, PhD