DMC celebrating CAIN National Art Show’s 60th anniversary, holding opening reception on Friday, Feb. 13
27
January
2026
|
19:25 PM
Europe/Amsterdam
Guest juror and Brooklyn artist Tabitha Whitley giving “Art Talk” previous day in Richardson Performance Hall
Article by Melinda Eddleman
“
We are so honored to have Tabitha Whitley as our juror as the college and Art Program celebrate this milestone year. Her selections show a wide range of materials, subjects and viewpoints that definitely make this year’s show one you need to see.
Elena Rodriguez, DMC Assistant Professor of Art and Cain Gallery Coordinator
„
Celestial Swimmer by Artist Kimberly Callas
The free reception is scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. in Cain Gallery and features the 55 pieces selected by Whitley. The event also includes complimentary catered hors d’ oeuvres from Citrus Bistro and a cash bar. Additionally, the Art Program purchases artwork for its Permanent Collection each year, and those winners will be announced during the event. The reception is supported by an anonymous donor, Del Mar College’s Art faculty and the City of Corpus Christi Arts & Cultural Commission.
The CAIN National Art Show runs weekdays Feb. 16 through April 17 with free public viewing Mondays through Thursdays 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 9 a.m. to noon Fridays, except during DMC’s Spring Break closing March 9-14.
The Fine Arts Center (Joseph A. Cain Memorial Art Gallery) and Richardson Performance Hall are on the DMC Heritage Campus located at 101 Baldwin. Blvd. (78404). Get online directions and campus map. Questions can be directed to the DMC Art Program at 361-698-1216 or art@delmar.edu.
Looks Like it Sounds Good by Artist Andrew Chalfen
On Friday, Feb. 13, Del Mar College and the Art Program with the Art and Drama Department will open the 2026 CAIN National Art Show during a free reception marking the 60th anniversary of the spring exhibit. Drawing entries from artists located across the United States, Brooklyn artist Tabitha Whitley served as guest juror and selected 55 two- and three-dimensional pieces. The free exhibit runs weekdays through April 17 in the Joseph A. Cain Memorial Art Gallery in the Fine Arts Center on the college’s Heritage Campus. Among the artwork selected is Andrew Chalfen’s two-dimensional piece titled Looks Like it Sounds Good. (Credit: contributed)
Curio III by Artist Yomarie Silva- O'Neal_
Artist Yomarie Silva-O’Neal’s three-dimensional piece, Curio III, is among the 55 selected artworks making up Del Mar College’s 60th annual CAIN National Art Show, which opens Feb. 13 in the Joseph A. Cain Memorial Art Gallery on the Heritage Campus. The free opening reception runs 6 to 8 p.m. with the 2026 exhibit remaining open weekdays through April 17. (Credit: contributed)
A Cry For Justice Throughout The Ages by Artist Jesse Howard
Del Mar College and the Art Program with the Art and Drama Department will open the 60th annual CAIN National Art Show with a free reception from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 13, in the Joseph A. Cain Memorial Art Gallery on the college’s Heritage Campus. The free exhibit will remain on display weekdays through April 17. Among the 55 artworks selected for this year’s juried show is artist Jessie Howard’s two-dimensional piece “A Cry For Justice Throughout The Ages.” (Credit: contributed)
Whitley noted that while reviewing entries, she “sought works that were not only visually compelling but also grounded in a well-developed concept, and I was particularly drawn to pieces that told human stories.”
“
The selected works move between figuration and abstraction and are rooted in narratives of family, place, home, love and grief. I was also drawn to works that embraced playfulness and humor, believing that seriousness of intent can coexist with joy.
Tabitha Whitley, Brooklyn, New York Artist and 2026 CAIN National Art Show Guest Juror
„
Brooklyn-born Artist Tabitha Whitley_60th Annual CAIN National Art Show Guest Juror
She earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Painting from the Fashion Institute of Technology in 2009 followed by her Master in Fine Arts degree in the same medium from the New York Academy of Art in 2011, where she also served as the President of the Alumni Association and on the academy’s Board of Trustees. Learn more about the artist and her work by visiting her website at www.tabithawhitley.com/.
Regarding her final thoughts about the CAIN National Art Show, Whitley said, “As the accepted works came together, a cohesive exhibition began to emerge; and while the show was not required to have a unifying theme, I found reflections of my own story within it.”
“As a native New Yorker born and raised in Brooklyn, I grew up immersed in a rich mix of cultures, languages and identities, so the diverse group of artists, [who represent] a wide range of cultural backgrounds and gender identities, reflects the communities that shaped me as both an artist and a person,” she said, noting: “This exhibition mirrors the inclusivity I hope to see more widely embraced within the art world.”
Visit the Cain Gallery web page at delmar.edu/offices/art/gallery.html.
About Del Mar College
Del Mar College empowers students to achieve their dreams. We offer quality programs, individual attention, outstanding instruction through faculty with real-world experience and affordable costs to credit and noncredit students in Corpus Christi and the South Texas Coastal Bend area. Nationally recognized while locally focused, we’re ranked in the top two percent of community colleges in the country granting associate degrees to Hispanic students (Community College Week). Del Mar College focuses on offering our students programs that match current or emerging career opportunities. Whether students are interested in the fine arts, sciences, business, occupational or technical areas, students get the education they need for the future they want at Del Mar College.
Latest DMC News
- DMC Board of Regents Holding Regular Monthly Meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 3Article by DMC College Relations Office Tuesday, Feb. 3, the Del Mar College (DMC) Board of Regents will hold their regular monthly meeting beginning at 1 p.m. in Room 106 of the college’s Center for Economic Development at 3209 S. Staples (78411). Get online directions and facility map. The regular meeting also will be livestreamed. Community members may access the meeting by going to the online video link at www.delmar.edu/webcast/ by 12:55 p.m. A copy of the Agenda Notice and Board Packet is available online as follows: delmar.edu/regents-and-community/board-of-regents/_resources/regular-agenda-packet-2-3-2026.pdf Meeting agendas and other resources are also available on the DMC Board of Regents web page at www.delmar.edu/regents-and-community/board-of-regents/index.html. The health and safety of students, faculty, staff and visitors are a priority for Del Mar College. To view the College’s guidelines, visit www.delmar.edu/rtc/index.html.
- Need your teeth cleaned? Del Mar College Dental Hygiene and Dental Assisting Programs currently offering clinical services at “no cost”Article by Melinda Eddleman It may be a little too early for “spring cleaning.” However, it’s never too early to have your teeth cleaned! Or maybe you need X-rays taken and a review of your dental history. This spring semester, the Del Mar College (DMC) Dental Hygiene and Dental Assisting Programs are offering services at “no cost” as part of students’ clinical training while they provide Coastal Bend residents a healthier smile and wallet. The Dental Hygiene and Dental Assisting clinics combined provide a variety of services, including medical history reviews, blood pressure screenings, intra-oral examinations, dental preliminary assessments, periodontal assessments, dental hygiene education, oral cancer screenings, radiographs (X-rays), fluoride treatments (as needed), selective polishing, conservative periodontal therapy, dental hygiene therapy and dental sealants. Services are underway and run through early May. However, now is the time to sign up due to an extended commitment from patients for some services that are student-provided by the Dental Hygiene Clinic. The Dental Assisting Clinic is held every Thursday 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. The Dental Hygiene Clinic is scheduled Monday through Thursday 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. and only 9 a.m. to noon on Fridays. Clinics will not be held the week of Del Mar College’s Spring Break (March 9-14). The Dental Hygiene Clinic gives students the training and required hours needed to complete the program. Students performing procedures are under the supervision of program faculty, and patients’ care usually requires more than one visit. Patient selection is based on the educational and clinical requirements of students. DMC faculty will determine acceptance of patients after a “qualifying appointment.” For full details about patient selection, appointments and other pertinent information, visit the clinic web page at delmar.edu/offices/dental-clinic/index.html. The Dental Programs Clinic is in Room 125 of Health Sciences Building 1 on Del Mar College’s Windward Campus at 4101 Old Brownsville Road (78405). Access directions and the online campus map. To schedule a “qualifying appointment,” call 361-698-2854 or email dentalclinic@delmar.edu.
- Remote Operations and Instruction at DMC on Monday, Jan. 26, Due to Winter Weather ConditionsArticle by DMC College Relations Office Due to extreme winter weather conditions, Del Mar College will shift to remote operations and instruction tomorrow, Monday, January 26. Students should watch for guidance from faculty regarding online classes and assignments. DMC understands that some students may have limited access to technology, and faculty will work with students as needed. Supervisors should contact their staff members to provide guidance on meetings and work assignments. During remote operations and instruction, all Del Mar College physical campuses will be closed. Employees and students are asked to not attempt to come to campus on Monday. Normal operations will resume Tuesday, January 27. The health and safety of our students, employees, and guests remain our top priority. Please continue to monitor the Del Mar College website, email, and official social media channels for weather-related updates.
- Del Mar College names Dr. Gerald F. Napoles as new Executive Vice President and Chief Operating OfficerArticle by DMC College Relations Office Del Mar College (DMC) has appointed Dr. Gerald F. Napoles as its next Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, following a national search. He will step into the role this spring, succeeding longtime DMC leader Lenora Keas, who is retiring this January. Dr. Napoles brings more than two decades of leadership across Texas, California, and Kentucky community colleges and currently serves as Vice Chancellor of Student Success at Lone Star College in Houston. His portfolio includes systemwide initiatives in student success, enrollment services, strategic planning, technology modernization focused on collaboration and the student experience. Throughout his career, Dr. Napoles has built meaningful partnerships with K-12 school districts, economic development boards, industry, and nonprofit organizations to expand workforce training, dual credit access, transfer pathways and student support. He’s known for community-focused leadership and aligning college initiatives with regional needs. His leadership at Lone Star College includes roles as President of the North Harris campus, Interim President at CyFair, CEO of System Office–University Park and Special Assistant to the Chancellor. Previously, he served in Kentucky as Senior Vice President of Student and Organizational Success and Vice President of Student Affairs at Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College. Dr. Napoles has served as an accreditation liaison and reviewer with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, the accrediting body for both Del Mar and Lone Star College. Nationally, he served on the Board of Directors of the American Association of Community Colleges and has worked with the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development NISOD, the Center for Community College Student Engagement and Achieving the Dream, leading national organizations focused on student success and institutional excellence. A first-generation college student, Dr. Napoles began his journey at Dallas College-Richland Campus. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Sam Houston State University, a master’s from the University of North Texas and a doctorate in Education Administration with a focus on community college leadership from The University of Texas at Austin. In 2024, he received the Distinguished Alumni Award from Dallas College. Dr. Napoles will officially begin his new role at Del Mar College in early April.
- DMC Board of Regents Holding Called Meeting on Thursday, January 15Article by DMC College Relations On Thursday, Jan. 15, the Del Mar College (DMC) Board of Regents will hold a called meeting beginning at 5 p.m. in Room 106 of the Center for Economic Development at 3209 S. Staples (78411). Get online directions and map. The meeting also will be livestreamed. Community members may access the meeting by going to the online video link at www.delmar.edu/webcast/ by 4:55 p.m. A copy of the Agenda Notice is available online as follows: www.delmar.edu/regents-and-community/board-of-regents/_resources/agendas/called-meeting-1-15-2026.pdf . Meeting agendas and other resources are also available on the DMC Board of Regents web page at www.delmar.edu/regents-and-community/board-of-regents/index.html. The health and safety of students, faculty, staff and visitors are a priority for Del Mar College. To view the College’s guidelines, visit www.delmar.edu/rtc/index.html.
- Del Mar College names retired Drama faculty member Michael “Kim” Frederick as newest Professor EmeritusArticle b: Richard Guerrero, Jr. He could have been a welder all his life, but the lure of the stage proved irresistible to retired Del Mar College (DMC) theatre educator Michael “Kim” Frederick. He chose to leave behind a lucrative career and start down the path toward teaching back in 1979. But it wasn’t just the performing bug that bit him. Frederick fell in love with teaching from the very first day and never looked back. Recently, college officials announced the conferral of the title Professor Emeritus of Drama to Frederick, recognizing his career defined by passion, service and an unwavering belief in the transformative power of the arts. He was awarded the distinction during the DMC Board of Regents regular monthly meeting on Dec. 9. “Emeritus” status is among the highest honors the college can bestow and is reserved for faculty whose careers reflect distinguished service, meritorious teaching and significant contributions to higher education. For more than 36 years, Frederick embodied those ideals on the stage, in the classroom and throughout the community. As a Professor of Drama, Frederick served as an exemplary educator and mentor, teaching a wide range of theater courses, developing new curricula, and directing more than 50 productions. His work supported the college’s earliest Dual Enrollment students and helped generations of learners discover confidence, discipline and voice through theater. His dedication to teaching excellence was recognized statewide when the Texas Association of Theatre Educators named him Community College Educator of the Year in 2017. Beyond the classroom, Frederick’s leadership shaped the growth and national standing of Del Mar College’s Drama Program. He served for more than two decades as Drama Program Coordinator and later as Chair of the Art and Drama Department. Through thoughtful assessment and continuous improvement, he was instrumental in achieving national accreditation by the National Association of Schools of Theatre—a milestone that elevated the Drama Program and its students. Frederick also championed the creation of new art and drama facilities, including the Sue Finley Theatre, which opened in 2012 and remains a cornerstone of campus cultural life. DMC Professor of Drama Carl Yowell was by Frederick’s side for nearly three decades as a colleague and reflected on the experience as he spoke in favor of the designation during the board’s meeting. “Kim inspired all of us, his colleagues, to put in the extra time beyond our teaching load and our typical production loads to come and do this in service to the college,” Yowell said. “He was the Pied Piper in our merry band.” Frederick’s influence extended well beyond Del Mar College. A lifelong advocate for the arts, he served on the City of Corpus Christi Arts and Cultural Commission and led a team of community leaders in crafting the presentation that earned Corpus Christi the prestigious “All-America City” designation in 2003. Known for his clarity, humor and unmistakable directorial presence, Frederick brought artists, educators, civic leaders and students together—always meeting people where they were and inviting them to rise higher. DMC President and CEO Dr. Mark Escamilla, noted that Frederick’s passion for the college was an inspiration to him as he was getting his bearings during the early days of his own tenure. “You've been a guide for so many, a mentor for so many. Your spirit and your love for theater and everything – all things arts, all things Del Mar – resonates all throughout the community. It still does. It always will,” Dr. Escamilla said. Even in retirement, Frederick’s commitment continues. Through the Kim Frederick Endowed Drama Scholarship Fund, which awarded its first scholarship in spring 2025, he is investing in the future of Del Mar College students and the art form he loves. By unanimously approving “emeritus” status, the Board of Regents acknowledged not only Frederick’s professional accomplishments but also the personal legacy he leaves behind: a mentor whose passion was unmistakable, a colleague whose leadership inspired extra effort and deep loyalty and an educator who chose purpose over comfort while never looking back. “This college has a great legacy of recognizing service. If you look at Heritage Campus, look at the names: Coles, Venters, Heldenfels, Anzaldua, Creighton, Garcia, St. Clair, Wolfe, Bartlett, Richardson, Finley and Cain,” Yowell said during the Board meeting. “These are not donors. These are people who gave the minutes, hours, days and years of their lives in service to this institution and its community. And Kim is among that number–the minutes and hours and days and years of his life [that he gave to us all].” Upon the Board’s conferral, Frederick said that his greatest relationship was with DMC and noted that even through many changes over the years, his passion for the college’s theater program only grew with time. He urged regents to champion the performing arts going forward. “I hope that we all see behind or ahead of the curve on what is a major of consequence or a major of value, and the majors that our students want to study is of consequence and of value,” he said of fine arts, adding of his new title: “I am so blessed. This a great honor.” Professor Emeritus… Frederick’s new title says it all…his life’s work that enriched students, strengthened programs and forever shaped artistic and educational legacies at Del Mar College.
